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THE IRISH NATURALIST;
^, l^lcrnttihj Srmtvnal
OF
GENERAL IRISH xNATURAL HISTORY,
THR OFFICIAI, ORGAX OF
The Rot/al Zoological Society of Ireland ; The Duhlin Microscopical Club ;
The Belfast Natural History and Pliilosophical Society ;
The Belfast Naturalists' Field Club ; The Dublin Naturalists' Field Club ;
The Annayh Natural History and Pliilosophical Society ;
The Cork Naturalists' Field Club ; The Limerick Naturalists' Field Club.
Editp:d by
GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.Sc, Lond,
AND
R. LLOYD PRAEGER, B.A., B.E., M.R.LA.
VOL. IV.
DUBLIN : EASON & SON, Limited,
85 MIDDIJ'. ABBKY STREirL and 40LOWKR SACKVILLE STREET
]5I<:LEAST: 17 DONEOALE vSTREET.
LONDON : SEMl'KIN, MARSILAEE, IL^MIETON, KENT & Co., Ltd.
1S95.
Prixted by Alex. Thcm & Co. (Limfted), 87, 8S, & 89, abbey-street, Dublin.
i^
CONTRIBUTORS \^
TO THE PRESENT VOI.UME
G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton, b.a., New Ross.
R. M. Barrington, I.I..B., F.L.S., Fassaroe, Bray.
W. Bennett Barrington, Cork.
F, J. Bigger, m.r.i.a., Belfast.
Rev. S. a. Brenan, B.A., Knocknacary, Co. Antrim.
D. C. Campbei.1., Londonderry.
George H. Carpenter, b.sc, f.e.S., Science and Art
Museum, Dublin.
Prof. J. W. Carr, m.a., f.i,.s., f.z.s., Nottingham.
Prof. G. A. J. Cole, f.g.s., m.r.i.a., Royal College of
Science, Dublin.
James Coleman, Southampton.
Nathaniel Colgan, m.r.i.a., Dublin.
Arthur J. Collins, Belfast.
H. K. Gore Cuthbert, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
John H. Davies, Lisburn.
J. E. DuERDEN, Kingston, Jamaica.
E. C. Farran, Templeogue, Co. Dublin.
Rev. W. W. FlEmyng, m.a., Coolfin, Co. Waterford.
Percy E. Freke, Dundrum, Co. Dublin.
Rev. Hilderic Friend, f.l.s., Cockermouth.
E. A. Gibbon, Rosslare, Co. Wexford.
Rev. T. B. Gibson, m.a., Dublin.
Henry Groves, f.l.s., London.
James Groves, f.l.s., London.
J. N. HalberT, Science and Art Museum, Dublin.
R. Hanitsch, PH.D., Liverpool.
Prof. G. V. Hart, ll.d., q.c, Dublin.
Miss Hensman, Dublin.
T. V. Hodgson, Birmingham.
H. Lyster Jameson, Castlebellingham.
Prof. T. Johnson, d.sc, f.l.s.. Royal College of Science
Dublin.
Rev. W. F. Johnson, m.a., f.E.s., Poyntzpass, Co. Armagh.
W. P\ de V. Kane, m.a., F.E.S., Drumreaske, Co. Monaghan.
Richard J. Kelly, Dublin.
G. H. KiNAHAN, M.R.I.A., Dublin.
Robert J. Kirwan, b.a., b.e., Oughterard, Co. Galway.
\V. J. KnowlES, m.r-la., Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
iv Contributors.
Rev. H. W. Lett, m.a., Loughbrickland, Co. Down.
H. C. LEVINGE, D.iy., F.I..9., Knockdrin Castle, Mullingar.
C. LONGFIELD, Enniskeane, Co. Cork.
David M'ArdIvE, Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.
Prof. E. J. McWeeney, m.a., m.d., Dublin.
James N. Mii.ne, Londonderry.
C. B. Moffat, Ballyhyland, Co. Wexford.
Miss More, Dublin.
A. R. NiCHOivS, B.A., Science and Art Museum, Dublin.
R. A. PHILI.IPS, Cork.
R. Ll/OYD PraEGER, B.A., B.E., M.R.I. A., Dublin.
CI.EMENT Reid, fx.S., F.G.S., London.
Rev. James Robertson, Cork.
R. F. SCHARFF, B.sc, PH.D., M.R.I. A., Science and Art
Museum, Dublin.
REGINAI.D Scui^ivY, F.L.S., Dublin.
M. Jose Simpson, Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
W. SiNCi^AiR, Strabane.
W. F. S1NCI.AIR, Chelsea.
Prof. W. J. SolIvAS, i^L-d., f.r.s., m.r.i.a., Dublin.
R. Standen, Owens College, Manchester.
S. A. Stewart, f.b.s.e., Belfast.
Mrs. Thompson, Cork.
Miss S. M. Thompson, Belfast.
Brockton Tomlin, Llandaff.
R. J. USSHER, J.P., Cappagh, Co. Waterford.
Rev. C. H. Waddei.1., b.d., Saintfield, Co. Down.
James J. Walker, R.n., f.e.S., H.M.S. "Northampton."
Miss Amy Warren, Ballina.
Robert Warren, j.p., Ballina.
W. W. Watts, f.g.s-, London.
R. Welch, Belfast
Prof. E. Perceval Wright, m.d., f.l-s., m.r.i.a., Dublin.
Joseph Wright, f.g.s., Belfast.
INDEX.
•:o:
Adeorbis imperspicuus, 348.
Adventitious Branching in Liver-
worts, 81.
Aglaozonia reptans, 341.
Algae, Perforating, 139.
Algae of Galway Excursion, 241,
Alien Plants, 20.
AUurus flavus, 35.
Antrim, Scenery and Geology of,
338.
Arachnids of Galway Excursion,
254 ; of Londonderry, 105.
Aranmore Flora, 249.
Archaeology of Galway Excursion,
271.
Armagh Natural History and Phi-
losophical Society, 346.
Artemisia SteHenana, 77.
Astacus fluviatilis, 50.
Attus floricola, 348.
Aviary, 286, 307, 336.
Ball, v.— Portraits of Irish Men of
Science, &c., 135 ; Obituary
Notice of, 169.
Barrett-Hamilton, G. E. H.— In-
troduction of English Hares into
Ireland, 224 ; Irish Mammals, 65,
85, 167 ; Sabine's Snipe, 12 ;
Stock-dove and Crossbill in Co.
Carlow, 296.
Barrington, R. M. — Obituary
Notice of A. G. More, 109.
Barrington, W. Bennett. — Rare
Birds in Co, Cork, 166.
Bass in Donegal Bay, 296.
Beetle, new British, 213.
Belfast Natural History and Phi-
losophical Society, 23, 51, 75,
108, 167.
Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, 24,
52, 75, 107, 134. 187, 220, 293, 343 ;
Review of Proceedings, 185.
Bigger, F. J. — Archaeology of Gal-
way Excursion, 271.
Bipalium Kewense, 165.
Birds, aviary, 286, 307, 336 ; of
Coasts of Sligo and Mayo, 180,
198; of Loughs Conn, Carra, and
Mask, 117 ; of Donegal, Fer-
managh, Sligo, and Roscommon,
142 ; rare, near Wexford, 319 ;
rare, in Co. Cork, 166.
Bittern, Little, in Co. Carlow, 224.
Bougainvillia ramosa, 74.
Brambles, Irish, 20.
Brenan, S. A. — Summer Visitants
at Knocknacarry, 166.
Buckthorn in King's Co., 165.
Bundoran, Rock-pools of, i, 346.
Burnet, Lesser, in North of Ire-
land, 135.
Bustard, Little, in Co. Longford, 105.
Campbell, D. C. — Spring Migrants
in Londonderry District, 167.
Carex Buxbaumii in Scotland, 318.
Carpenter, G. H. — Animals found
in the Mitchelstown Cave, 25 ;
Arachnida of Galway Excursion,
254; Attus floricola, 348 ; Collem-
bola and Thysanura of Galway
Excursion, 257 ; Diptera of Gal-
way Excursion, 253 ; Erebia epi-
phron var. cassiope near Sligo,
77 ; Hymenoptera, Orthoptera,
and Neuroptera of Galway Ex
cursion, 257 ; Lepidoptera from
Sligo, 191 ; Myriopoda of Galway
Excursion, 256 ; New British
Pantopod, 297 ; Notes on a new
British Beetle, Otiorrhynchus
auropunctatus, 213.
Carr, J. W. (witli R. Lloyd Praeger)
— Phanerogams, Ferns, &c., of
Galway Excursion, 246.
Castagnia zosterae, 74.
Cave-fauna of Mitchelstown, 25.
Caves, Irish, 57, 92, 94.
Cetonia aurata, 348.
Chara canescens, 50.
Characeae, Distribution of, in Ire-
land, 7, 37; Irish, 77, 318.
Chlamydococcus pluvialis, 22.
Chthonius Rayi, 133.
Ciconia alba, 166.
Cladocera from West of Ireland,
190.
Clotenia conirostre, 292, 297.
Clunio marinus, 73.
Cole, G. A. J.— Geologist at the
Luncheon-table, 41 ; Review of
Guide to Geological Survey
Collections, 314 ; on the Fenestil-
lidae, with Reference to Irish
Carboniferous Strata, 100; the
Naturalist in the Mourne
Mountains (Review), 105.
Coleman, James. — Additional Irish
Caves, 94.
3y756
vi
index.
Coleoptera: collected in Co. Car-
low, 329 ; from Co. Dublin, 78 ;
from North of Ireland, 79; in
Ireland during the Spring, 1895,
207, 289 ; Irish, 207 ; of Galway
Excursion, 259.
Colgan N. — Further Notes on the
Flora of Co. Dublin, 53 ; Orchids
of Co. Dublin, 193.
Collembola of Galway Excursion,
257-
Collins, A. J. — Unusual Retreat
for Grouse, 51.
Columba aenas, 296.
Corixa, Stridulation of , 79, 224,
319-
Cork Naturalists' Field Club, 108,
168, 346.
Crayfish, 50.
Crossbill in Co. Carlow, 296.
Cryptostemma alienum, 219.
Cuthbert H. K. G.— Co. Dublin
Hymenoptera, Captures in 1894,
104 ; Insects from Rosscarbery,
. 303 ; with the Wild Bees in
Glencullen, 60.
Davies, J. H. — Ephemerum ser-
ratum in Co. Antrim, 164 ;
Poterium Sanguisorba in the
North of Ireland, 135.
Diplophyllum minutum, 219.
Diptera of Galway Excursion, 263.
Disintegration of Shells 139.
Donax vittatus var. truncatus, 18.
Dublin Microscopical Club, 22, 72,
106, 133, 167, 219, 292, 341.
Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, 52,
75, 108, 134, 168, 189, 221, 294,
320, 345.
Duerden, J. E- — Rock-pools of
Bundoran, i.
Dyschirius obscurus at Lough
Neagh, 224.
Earthworm, new Irish, 35.
Ectocarpus secundus, 219.
Ephemerum serratum in Co.
Antrim, 164.
Erebia epiphron var. cassiope,
77-
Erythraea pulchella, 20, 77.
Eurotium repens, 133.
Farran, E C. — Trichoniscus roseus
near Dublin, 296.
Fauna of Galway District, 252.
Fenestellidae, 100.
Field Club Union, 134, 225.
Field Club Work in the North, 185.
Flemyng, W. W. — Occurrence of
the Marten in Co. Waterford,
224.
Flora of Aranmore, 249 ; of Cork,
332 ; of Co. Dublin, 53 ; of Galway
District, 238 ; of Howth, 174,
318; of Westmeath, 64.
Foraminifera of Galway Excursion,
252.
Freke, Percy E.— Irish Psythyri,
166.
Friend, Hilderic, — a new Form of
Irish Earthworm, 35.
Frullania dilatata, 342.
Fungi of Galway Excursion, 238.
Fungus, a new Irish, 273.
Gallinago cailestis var. Sabinii, 12.
Galway Field Club Conference,
134, 225.
Geological Notes from West Gal-
way, 151.
Geological Survey Collections,
Guide (Review), 314.
Geologist at the Luncheon-table,
41.
Geology of Antrim, 338 ; of Galway
Excursion, 335 ; of Ireland, 314.
Gibbon, E. A. — Rare Birds near
Wexford, 319.
Gibson, T. B.— My Birds, 286, ,'«o7,
Giraudia sphacelarioides, 74.
Glacial Deposits, 321 ; of Dublin
and Bray, 80.
Glenospora Curtisii, 219.
Glaeosporium orchidearum, 167.
Groves, H. and J. — Distribution of
the Characese in Ireland, 7, 37.
Gulls, Black-headed, 192.
Halbert, J. N.— Coleoptera col-
lected in Co. Carlow, 329 ; Cole-
optera from Co. Dublin, 79 ;
Coleoptera from the North of
Ireland, 79 ; Coleoptera of the
Galway Excursion, 259 ; Hemip-
tera of the Galway Excursion,
258; Insects collected at the
Seagull Bog, TuUamore, 172 ;
Insects collected in the Fermoy
and Blackwater District, 45 ;
Orthezia cataphracta, 104.
Hanitsch, R. — The Fresh-water
Sponges of Ireland, 122.
Hares, English, i^n Ireland, 224.
Hart, G. V.— Lepidoptera at Howth
in 1894, 21.
Hedgehogs in Captivity, 136.
Helix arbustorum near Armagh,
348.
Index,
Vll
Hemiptera of Galway Excursion,
258.
Hensman, Miss— Some Causes of
the Disintegration of Shells,
139; (with T. Johnson) Algae of
the Galway Excursion, 241.
Herberta adunca, 22.
Hodgson, T. V. — Cladocera from
the West of Ireland, 190.
Hullite, 133.
Hymenoptera of Co. Dublin, 104 ;
of Galway Excursion, 257 ; of
Glencullen, 60.
Ichneumons, new Irish, 319.
Insects collected at Coolmore, 95,
161 ; collected at Seagull Bog,
172; from Rosscarbery, 303: of
Fermoy and Blackwater District,
45 ; of Galway Excursion, 257.
Irish Field Club Union, 134, 225.
Irish Moths, 19.
Irish Plants in London Catalogue,
190.
Jameson, H. Lyster. — Irish Mam-
malia, 296.
Johnson, T., and Miss Hensman —
Algse of Galway Excursion, 241.
Johnson, W. F. — Dyschirius ob-
scurus at Lough Neagh, 224 ;
Primrose in November, 347 ;
Report on Insects collected at
Coolmore, Co. Donegal, 95, 161 ;
Spring Lepidoptera at Armagh,
223 -, Spring Migrants at Armagh,
166.
Jubula Hutchinsiae, 190.
Jungermania bicrenata, 219.
Kane, W. F. de V.— Irish Moths,
19 ; Lepidoptera of Galway Ex-
cursion, 263 ; New Irish Ichneu-
mons, 319 ; Thecla betulae in Co.
Wexford, 21.
Kelly, Richard J. — Plague of Beetles
in Galway in 1688, 190.
Kill o'-the-Grange glacial beds,
321.
Kinahan, G. H.— Kitchen Middens,
Co. Donegal, 21 ; Notes on Black-
headed Gulls, 192.
Kirwan, Robert J. — Geological
Notes from West Galway : the
Galway and Clifden Railway, 151.
Kitchen Middens of Antrim, 80;
of Donegal, 21, 80.
Knotweeds, Irish, 303.
Knowles, W. J. — Kitchen Middens
of Antrim, 80 ; Kitchen Middens
of Donegal, 8ov
Labrax lupus, 296.
Leeches, Irish, 165.
Lejeunea calyptrifolia, 73 ; flava,
167 ; patens var. cochleata, 133 ;
serpyllifolia, proliferous, 74.
Lepidoptera at Armagh, 223 ; at
Howth in 1894, 21 ; from Sligo,
191 ; Irish, 19; of Galway Excur-
sion, 263.
Lepton Sykesii in Killala Bay, 348.
Lett, H. W.— Irish Rat at Lough
Brickland, 80.
Levinge, H. C. — Plants of West-
meath, 64.
Lias at White Park Bay, 192.
Limerick Naturalists' Field Club,
77-
Lipura Wnghtii, sp. nov., 31, 342.
Liverworts, adventitious Branching
81 ; of Galway Excursion, 243.
Longfield, C. — Smew in Co. Cork,
105.
Loxia curvirostra, 296.
Machetes pugnax, 296.
Macrosporium cheiranthi, 74.
McArdle, D. — Adventitious Brandl-
ing in Liverworts, 81 ; Mosses
and Liverworts of Galway
Excursion, 243.
McHenry, A., and W. W. Watts-
Guide to Geological Survey
Collections (Review), 314.
McWeeney, E. J. — A Curious Coin-
cidence, 317 ; Fungi of Galway
Excursion, 238; a new Irish
Fungus, 273 ; Utility of noting
Fungus-localities, 317.
Mammals, Irish, 65, 85, 167, 296.
Marten in Westmeath, 21 ; in Co.
Waterford, 224.
Megaceros marl, 131.
Mergus albellus, 105.
Metzgeria conjugata, proliferous,
74-
Micropeplus tesserula, 74.
Microvelia pygmsea, 133.
Migrants at Armagh, 166; at
Knocknacarry, 166 ; in London-
derry District, 167.
Milne, Jas. N. — Helix arbustorum
near Armagh, 348; New Irish
Spiders from Londonderry, 104.
Mitchelstown Cave Fauna, 25.
Moifat, C. B.— Second Flowering of
Artemisia Stelleriana, 77 ; Thecla
betulae in Co. Wexford, 78.
Mollusc, new Irish, 335.
Mollusca of Galway Excursion,
264
I i «
Vlll
Index.
More, A. G. — Bibliography of
Writings, 113; Memoir of, 331 ;
Obituary Notice of, 109.
More, Miss,— Memoir of A. G.
More, 331.
Mosses of Aran, 317; of Galway
Excursion, 243.
Moths, Irish, 19.
Mus hibernicus, 80.
Myriopods of Galway Excursion,
256.
Naturalist in the Mourne Moun-
tains (Review), 105.
Nectria sanguinea, 73 ; sinopica,
133-
Neuroptera of Galway Excursion,
257-
Newts, Irish, 135, 166.
Nichols, A. R. — Stridulation of
Corixa, 79.
Obituary Notices. — V. Ball, 169; A.
G. More, 109.
Orchids of Co. Dublin, 193.
Ornithology of Loughs Conn,
Carra, and Mask, 117 ; of Coasts
of Sligo and Mayo, 180, 198 ; of
Donegal, Fermanagh, Sligo, and
Roscommon, 142.
Orthezia cataphracta, 104.
Orthoptera of Galway Excursion,
257-
Osprey in Co. Kerry, 105.
Otiorrhynchus auropunctatus, 213.
Otis tetrax, 105.
Pandion haliaetus, 105.
Pantopod, a new British, 297.
Peronospora affinis, 317.
Phanerogams of Galway Excursion,
246.
Phillips, R. A.— Waifs and Strays of
the Cork Flora, 332.
Phoma betse, 167.
Pilularia in Connemara, 165,292.
Pisidium hibernicum, 335.
Plague of Beetles in Galway, 190.
Plant Remedies, 318.
Plants, aUen, 20 ; of Aranmore, 249 ;
of Cork, 332 ; of Galway District,
238 ; of Howth, 174, 318 ; of West-
meath, 64.
Plumatella repens, 223.
Polygon a, Irish, 305.
Polypogon monspeliensis, 20.
Porcellio pictns, 166.
Poterium Sanguisorba in North of
Ireland, 135.
Praeger, R. Lloyd— Aran Island
Brambles, 318; Buckthorn in
King's Co., a Correction, 165 ;
Erythroea pulchella on North
Bull, 77; pnora of Howth, 38;
General Account of Galway Field
Club Conference and Excursion,
225 ; Irish Characese, a Correc-
tion, 77 ; Notes on the Flora of
Howth, 174; Notes on the Flora
of Aranmore, 249 ; Review of Bot.
Exch. Club Report and Watson
Bot. Exch. Club Report, 339 ;
Review of London Catalogue of
British Plants, 163 ; Pilularia in
Connemara, 165 ; Raised Beaches
of Inishowen, 278 ; (with W. J.
SoUas), Notes on Glacial Deposits
in Ireland, II. Kill-o'-the-Grange,
321 ; (with J. W. Carr), Flowering
Plants, Ferns, &c., of Galway Ex-
cursion, 246.
Primrose in November, 347.
Pseudopsis sulcata, 74.
Psithyn, Irish, 166.
Puccinia obscura, 317.
Putorius hibernicus, 136.
Pycnogon, a new British, 297.
Quartz, Quartzites, and Quartz-
rocks, 316, 340.
Radula voluta, 106.
Raised Beaches — Inishowen, 278 ;
Portmarnock, 134.
Rat, Irish, 80.
Reid, Clement—Origin of Mega-
ceros Marl, 13 1.
Reviews. — Belfast Naturalists'
Field Club Proceedings, 185 ;
Botanical Exchange Club Re-
port, 1894, and Watson Botanical
Exchange Club Report, 1894-95,
339 ; Cole's Scenery and Geology
of Co. Antrim, 338 ; Newtown
School Literary and Scientific
Association, 39th Report, 339 ;
McHenry and Watts's Guide to
the Geological Survey Collec-
tions, 314; London Catalogue of
British Plants, 163.
Rhamnus catharticus,i65; frangula,
165.
Riccia glaucescens, 296.
Robertson, James— Stridulation of
Corixa, 319.
Rock-pools of Buodoran, i, 347.
Rooks, Carnivorous Habits, 105.
Rose-beetle in Ireland, 348.
Royal Zoological Society, 22, 51, 72,
io6, 133, 167, 187, 219, 292, 320, 341
Index.
IX
Rubi, Irish, 20; of Aran, 318.
Ruff in Co. Wicklow, 296.
Scapania aspera, 73.
Scharff, R. F.— Addition to the
Irish Molluscan Fauna, 335 ;
Bipalium Kewense, 165 ; Cave at
Ballymote, Co. Sligo, 94 ; Fresh-
water Crayfish in Co. Dublin, 50;
Irish Newts, 135, 166; Porcellio
pictus, 166 ; Plumatella repens.
m Ireland, 223 ; Some Notes on
the Irish Caves, 57 ; Some Notes
on Irish lyeeches, 165 ; Testacella
haliotidea in Co. Dublin, 80;
Wanted, Live Newts, 105 ; Wood-
lice of Co. Carlow, 319.
Scully, R. W.— Chara canescens in
Ireland, 50 ; Erythraea pulchella
and Polypogon monspeliensis
on the North Bull, 20 ; Some
Cork Aliens, 20; Vicia lathy-
roides in Co. Wicklow, 20,
Simpson, M. Jose — Hedgehogs in
Captivity, 136.
Sinclair, W.— Bass in Donegal Bay,
296.
Sinclair, W. F.— Rock-pools of
Bundoran, 347.
Sinella cavernicola sp. nov., 30.
Smew in Co. Cork, 105.
Snipe, Sabine's, 12.
Sollas, W. J., and R. Lloyd Praeger
— Notes on Glacial Deposits in
Ireland ; II. Kill-o'-the-Grange,
321.
Sphseria canescens, 341.
Spirula Peronii in Co. Antrim, 348.
Sponges, Fresh-water, of Ireland,
122.
Standen, R. — Mollusca of Galway
Excursion, 264.
Stewart, S. A.— Moss Flora of
Aran, 317.
Stoat, Irish, 136.
Stock-dove in Go. Carlow, 296.
Stork, White, near Athy, 166.
Streptothrix nigra, 22.
Stysanus ulmariae, sp. nov., 273.
Taenia serrata, 342.
Tanystylum conirostre, 292, 297.
Testacella haliotidea in Co. Dublin,
80.
Thecla belulae, 21, 78.
Thompson, M. — Stridulation of
Corixa, 224.
Thompson, Miss S. M. — Geology
of Galway Excursion, 235.
Thysanura of Galway Excursion,
257.
Tomlin, B. — Rose-beetle m Ireland,
348; Spirula Peronii in Co.
Antrim, 348.
Trichoniscus roseus near Dublin,
296,
Ussher, R. J. — An Ornithological
Exploration in Donegal. Fer-
managh, Sligo, and Roscommon,
142 ; Notes on the Irish Caves,
92-
Ustilago Vaillantii, 219.
Verticillium latertium, 73.
Vicia lathyroides, 20.
Waddell, C. W.— Irish Knotweeds,
305 ; Irish Plants in the new
London Catalogue, 190 ; Jubula
Hutchinsiae, 190.
Walker, James J. — Captures of
Coleoptera in Ireland during the
Spring.of 1895, 207, 289.
Warren, Miss Amy — Donax vitta-
tus var. truncatus, 18 ; Lepton
Sykesii in Killala Bay, 348.
Warren, Robert — Breeding Birds
of Loughs Conn, Carra, and
Mask, 117 ; Birds observed breed-
ing on the Coasts of Sligo and
Mayo, 180, 198.
Watts, W. W.— Quartz, Quartz-
rocks, and Quartzites, 316, 340.
Welch, R. — Exposed Lias at White
Park Bay, Co. Antrim, 192 ; Wild
Flowers in the Glynns of Antrim
in Mid-winter, 50.
Winter Flowering of Wild Flowers,
Woodcocks nesting in Co. Wick-
low, 21.
Woodlice of Co. Carlow, 319.
Wright, E. P. — Obituary Notice of
V. Ball, 169.
Wright, Joseph — Foraminifera of
Galway Excursion, 252.
PI.ATKS AND II.I.USTRATIONS.
Rock-pool at Bundoran (Plate i),
Donax vittatus, and var. truncatus,
Animals from the Mitchelstown Cave (Plate 2
Distribution of Caves in Ireland,
Adventitious Shoots on Liverworts (Plate 3),
Alexander Goodman More, F.L.S.,
Irish Fresh-water Sponges (Plate 4),
Section at Oughterard,
Section at Lough Shindilla,
Section at Lough Oorid, .
Valentine Ball, C.B.,
Otiorrhynchus auropunctatus, .
Ballynahinch River and Ben Lettery,
Teampul Benan, Aranmore,
An Aran Field,
Derryclare Lake and Mountain,
Church of S. Nicholas, Galway, .
Stysanus Ulmariae sp. nov. (Plate 5),
Tanystylum conirostre (Plate 6),
Pisidiuni hibernicum,
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ERRATA.
Page i66,before note on Irish Psithyri, insert the sub-heading " INSECTS:*
219, line 27, for " ovones," read " ovules,"
„ line 29, for " Dr. P. Wright," read " Dr. Plowright."
„ line 31, for " Cw/^," read " Gagea."
256, line 9 from bottom, for " Lithopius:' read " Lithobiusr
258, line 6 from bottom, for " ArchotylusT read " Orlhotylus "
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Vol. IV. JANUARY, 1895. No. i.
THE ROCK-POOI.S OF BUNDORAN.
BY J. E. DUERDEN, A.R.c.SC. (London).
Last summer, in connection with the Royal Irish Academy
Fauna and Flora Committee, I had the opportunity, in com-
panj' with Prof. Johnson and Mr. Mitchell, of spending a little
over a week in and around Bundoran, a delightful watering-
place, much frequented b}^ people from the North of Ireland.
M)^ object was to collect representatives of all the Zoophytes,
embracing under this popular term the Hydroids, Sea-
anemones, and Polyzoa, at the same time not neglecting other
forms of life which I might chance to come across.
Bundoran lies at the south-east corner of Donegal Bay,
about four miles from the historically interesting town of
Ballyshannon. Taking the former as our centre, we made
collecting excursions to different parts of the bay, and so ob-
tained a good idea of the resources of the locality.
West of Bundoran, cliffs of Carboniferous limestone face the
sea, dipping to the south at an angle varying from five
to ten degrees ; but at low water a considerable extent of shore
is laid bare, diversified by numerous rock-pools, caves, and
narrow inlets of the sea, the happy hunting-grounds of the
naturalist.
In the rock-pools the first object which attracts one is the
Purple Sea-urchin Strongylocentrotus lividuSy Lamk., occurring
in great numbers in little hollows, their dark colour con-
trasting strongly with the light rosy-pink calcareous alga
Lithotham7iio7i polymorpJmni} , which lines most of these pools.
This interesting sea-urchin is one of the most striking faunal
features of various localities along the west coast of Ireland,
' For the name of this alga, and also for the others mentioned, I am
indebted to Prof. Johnson and to Mr. Mitchell,
2 The Irish Nahiralist.
from Donegal Ba\' to Queenstown Harbour. It occurs
nowhere else in the British Isles, but turns up again in the
Channel Islands. It is capable of boring holes, probably by
means of its teeth, in the soft limestone to a depth of one-half
or more of its own height; where, however, the rocks, as at
Dog's Bay in Connemara, consist of the harder granite, the
urchin is incapable ofboringinto them, and simply rests upon
the bottom of the pools. Many of them are partially covered
by empty shells, such as those oi Patella, P2irpura, 2.r\6iLitto7ina.
Considering the spin}^ nature of their skeleton it is very diffi-
cult to conceive that this feature can be in any way concerned
with protection to the individual. Again, they are almost
invariably associated in the pools with luxurious growths of
the light pink encrusting Lithothain7iion polymorphtwi, to
which they offer the strongest contrast, almost suggestive of a
warning combination.
In some of the shallow pools, some distance above low-
water mark, we found numbers of the sea-slug Aplysia ptmctata,
Cuv., their dark olive-green colour also contrasting strongly
w^ith the light Lithothamnion. A few minutes sufficed to
obtain two or three dozen, many of them in the act of laying
their strings of brown-pink spawn.
On this part of the shore, and still more so on the rocks and
cliffs north of Bundoran, are to be found more or less firm
masses of sand and fragments of shells built into tubes by the
worm Sabellaria alveolata, Linn., and almost resembling a
honey-comb in appearance. These masses, no doubt, exer-
cise a preservative geological influence on the rocks, the
hollows and irregularities about forming also a protection for
various forms of life.
In one of the caves with a smooth floor covered by water,
and with stalactitic and stalagmitic masses further in, we
came across quite a crowd of small hermit-crabs, Fagunis,
and very interCvSting it ^ was to watch their little battles over
the bodies of some of their unfortunate companions who had
been torn from their protective gastropod shell. Here also I
met with a few specimens oi Anemonia siUcata {Anthea cereus),
Penn., of the variety with iridescent green tentacles tipped with
red. This species, not so abundant in Donegal Bay, I have
met with in great numbers in Roundstone Bay, giving to the
h^^s oi Zostera there quite a flower}^ appearance. Actinia
The Rock-pools of Bimdoran. 3
eq7ii?ia, lyinn., of the varieties hepatica, rubra, olivacea, and
viridis was present everywhere. Under one of the ledges of
rock I met w ith a large group, thirty or forty individuals, of
the prett)' little Corynactis viridis, Allni. This anemone varies
much in colour, although those belonging to the same colony
are generally alike. In the present case the column was of a
light brown colour, the margin a rich bright orange, and the
tentacles green at the base, with greenish-brown stems and
white knobs. At Roundstonel have met with colonies of the
more typical green form. Specimens of Hcliactis bellis, E.
and S. were present in the cavities of the rock-pools, and also
the large Tealia crassicor^iis. Mull, in considerable variety
of colour. A single example of Cylista imdata, MltU. was
also obtained.
The coast to the north of Bundoran is varied by steep
precipices and sandy shores. Around Claddaghlagan not
much was obtained, nor along the beach in front of the east
portion of the towm. Rog>^ Bay, a narrow inlet, was the best
locality for material washed up from the sea. Here were
obtained stems of Laminaria with quite thick forests of
Sertularia operailata, lyinn., growing on them, presenting
almost the appearance of a fox's tail. The roots of the
Laminaria also yielded several species of encrusting Polj'zoa.
I may here record one fact in which I have alwaj^s found the
west coast of Ireland to differ from the east coast, namely, in
the amount of material from considerable depths washed
ashore by storms. On such occasions we find suitable places
on the east coast literally strewn with zoophytes and other
treasures from the deep. Tangled masses are rolled about on
the sand}^ shores, composed largely of Hydrallmania falcata,
lyinn., Sertularia abietina, lyinn., Eudcndrium ramosum, Linn.,
various species of /'///^/r^ and Ciisiaf Vesicularia spinosa, Linn.,
and heaps of other smaller forms along with them or growing
upon them, the whole forming a very rich and easily obtained
harvest. On the west coast, however, I have never found any
of the species mentioned above washed ashore. It has often
been disappointing upon going to some strand, where, under
similar conditions along the east coa.st, I should have obtained
in a few minutes thirty or forty different species of zoophytes,
to find practically nothing. Tullan Strand, extending a dis-
tance of nearly two miles from the Fairy Bridge to the mouth
A 2
4 The Irish Naturalist,
of the river Erne, was a good example. Even after a consider-
able storm during the night there was nothing washed ashore
to rejoice the collector. The Rev. W. S. Green, to whom I
have remarked this difference, considers that it may be largely
due to the fact that on the east coast the greater amount of
trawling in the deeper parts disturbs and tears up the objects
growing upon the sea-bottom, and then during storms they
are washed up on the shore.
The limestone forming the cliffs is very fossiliferous, this
feature attracting even the most casual observer. The rock
seems in parts entirely made up of crinoid stems, some of
them exceptionally large in diameter. Other portions are
almost entirely composed QiProd2icttis giganteus, while various
fossil corals are in many places important components of the
rock. In the limestone on the north side of Rogy Bay,
towards Aughrus Point, the rock-pools are mostly deep
vertical hollows, always full of water, and crowded at the
surface with a great variety of red, brown, and green sea-
weeds. On pulling these aside one is rewarded with a most
lovely sight of variously and richl}^- coloured sea-anemones,
covering the sides and crevices of the rock. Especially
abundant were *' the Orange Disc Anemone," and " the
Snowy Anemone," now both regarded as varieties oi Heliadis
vemista^ Gosse ; also Bimodes gcniniaceus, E. and S., and in the
darker corners large specimens of Tealia crassicornis , Mull.
A few examples of Aplysia punctata, Cuv. were obtained here
also in the .shallower pools.
The rocks from Aughrus Point to the Fair}^ Bridge are too
precipitous for any work to be done upon them ; but in the
latter place one can easily collect along the base at low water,
and also enter the Cathedral Cave near. We found this,
exposed to the full force of the waters of the baj^ to be
an extremely rich locality. The sand- tubes of Sabcllaiia
alveolafa, lyinn. form, with the rocks, small hollows in which
are little forests of zoophytes, such as Ttibiclaria larynx^ E. and
S., Obclia flabellata, Hincks, Cavipanularia ftexuo^a, Hincks,
and Flumularia setacca, Ell., and numerous smaller forms
growing upon these. Here was obtained the rare Halccium
te7iellum, Hincks, the first undoubted record for Ireland.
The surface of the rock also serves for the attachment of
crowds of yJ/^'/77?^^ cdidis, I^inn., and a search aniongvSt these
The Rock-pools of Bu7idora7i, 5
well rewarded us. On one of the ledges overhanging a pool,
on the floor of which were abundant Plaice, almost undistin-
guishable from their resemblance to the colour of the sand,
we came across hundreds of the lovely Metridimn {Adinoloba)
dia7ithus, Ell., of the brown and white varieties. Exposed at
low water they hung vertically almost like so many shapeless
masses of mucus, each with a drop of water at the distal end.
Looping about amongst the Hydroids were numbers of the
Amphipod Caprella linearis, Linn. Tubularia laryjix, E- and S.,
was especially the home of the Nudibranch Eolis coroiiata^
Forbes, its rosy hues harmonising well with the light red
colour of the polypites.
From the Fairy Bridge, Tullan Strand stretches for nearly
a couple of miles to the mouth of the Erne, and yielded very
little to us, but the sand-hills overlooking it would well repay
the entomologist. The shore towards Kildoney Point we
found unproductive, and then took our way to Coolmore, a
place from which accounts of collections in other branches
have already appeared in this Journal. Descending the Blue
Stairs we were disappointed to find the shore composed
largely of sandstone and limestone boulders derived from the
cliffs, and presenting a very meagre fauna. Going a little to
the south-west, however, we were again amongst the lime-
stone rock-pools with a great abundance of life. The con-
trast was most striking. Where the rocks were principally
sandstone they presented quite a barren aspect, and life
appeared impoverished, while a few yards further when we
got on to the limestone, the rock-pools were replete with a
luxuriance of animal and plant life, much as we had found
west of Bundoran.
Dredging in Donegal Bay with the trawlers did not yield us
much. The bottom consists principally of sand, and the
dredge and trawl brought up little of what the fishermen
regard as refuse, but to the zoologist is a harvest. A day was
spent on the east coast of the promontory stretching between
M'Swyne's Bay and Inver Bay. Here the shore was again
rich in deep vertical rock-pools filled with weeds, such as
Fiictcs, Laminaria, Ulva, E^iteromorpha, Bryopsis, Codiuin,
Cladophora, Chondrics crisptcs, Rhody??ie7iia, Coralli7ia offi-
ci7ialis, Lithotha77i7iio7i polyi7iorphu7}i, and other rarer forms.
Hundreds oi Metridiiuri {Acti7iolobd) dia7ithus, EH-, hung from
6 The Irish Naturalist.
the under surface of projecting ledges, and most of the other
common forms of sea-anemones flourished luxuriously,
sharing the decoration of the pools with numerous brightl}^-
coloured sponges. Trawling around the shore our boatmen
discovered for themselves a rich locality for Sole, Plaice, and
Brill. The Laminaria brought up was coated with miniature
forests of Obelia gcniadata, Linn, and other zoophytes.
Numbers of shells of Peden 7naxiimis, I,inn. were obtained
encrusted with various Polyzoa. In returning across the bay
we were alarmed by the proximity of four or five large
cetaceans following the shoals of herring along with flocks of
gulls. From the rounded head, large, high dorsal fin, and
white under-surface. there is no doubt that they were speci-
mens of the Killer Whale {^Orca gladiatof, I,acpa). In a small
interesting book on Ballyshannon' containing a chapter on its
Zoology and Botany, it is recorded that in the last century
whales were so numerous in Donegal Bay that a whale-fisher}^
was established, but owing to the general roughness of the
sea it was unsuccessful, although aided b}^ a grant of £500
from the Irish Parliament in 1736, and a grant of £1,500
in 1763.
We left Bundoran and its rock-pools feeling that our time
had been most profitabh^ vSpent, and bearing away representa-
tives of many of its marine treasures preserved in our jars for
future stud3\ A more detailed list and description of these
will shortly be published.
Mr. Welch, of Belfast, has kindh^ allowed a reproduction of
one of his splendid series of photographs of the shores at
Bundoran. The portion represented on the accompanying
plate (Plate i) is one of the rock-pools from which the water
has been removed. At the bottom are seen many examples
of the Purple Sea-urchin (^Stro7igylocent7'otits lividus, I,amk.)
bristling with spines, but all more or less sunk in their self-
made hollows, and in some cases with dead shells upon them.
The pink-coloured " Nullipore," Lithothamnionpolyvw7'phu77i,
coats the remainder of the bottom, and especially in the narrow
ridges between the hollows rises into irregular botryoidal
masses, often tending to enclose the sea-urchins. To the left
of the plate are seen luxuriant bunches of another calcareous
^AlHngliam : Ballyshaunoii, its History and Antiquities, Londonderry,
J879.
The Rock-pools of Btcndoran. f
fed alga, Corallina officmalis. Along the side of the pool
are agglutinated masses of sand and fragments of shells
presenting the appearance of a honeycomb, each aperture being
that of a tube, in which dwells the worm Sabellaria alveolata,
I,inn. The limestone ledges above the pool (to the right)
are quite light in colour owing to the great abundance of
the common acorn-shell, Balaiius. Numerous conical shaped
limpets. Patella viclgata, lyinn. are here present resting in the
shallow scars excavated by themselves. It has lately been
showni that the limpets quit their homes in search of food
chiefly as the tide leaves them and when it is returning, the
extent of their peregrinations being evidently limited to a dis-
tance of between one and two feet. Many of the limpets have
the exterior of their shells coated with Lithothamnion 'poly-
inorphuin. Scattered about are also numerous specimens of
the spindle-shaped Purpura lapillus, I^inn.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE CHARACB^
IN IRKIvAND.
BY H. AND J. GROVKS, FX.S.
Thk large stretches of comparatively shallow water and the
many peat-bogs render Ireland a particularly favourable
country for the growth of Characece, and, although a considerable
extent remains almost unexplored and but little has been
thoroughly searched, the Chara Flora as at present known is
a rich one. During the past year another species, C. canescens,
has been discovered, and there is little doubt that when the
Southern and Western districts have been more completely
worked several others will be added to the list.
Every piece of water should be searched, as CharacecB occur
in rivers and streams as well as in the lakes, pools, pits, and
ditches, which are their more usual habitats. We would
especially recommend examining small loughs and pools near
the sea, as likely to yield new species to Ireland. It is never
safe to assume that there is no Chara in any piece of water
until it has been dragged all over, as oftentimes they occur in
only one part and are not visible from the shore.
'^Nature, vol. xxxi., p. 200, and vol. li., p. 127,
8 The Irish Nahcralist.
We shall be pleased to examine any specimens sent to us for
determination, but would impress upon collectors the impor-
tance of obtaining fruiting specimens where possible. Often
when the first "haul" is sterile, a further search will yield abun-
dance of fruit.
The object of this paper is to give a table of the County
distribution on the lines of " Topographical Botan}^'' but in the
case of the rarer species the separate localities are mentioned.
We have endeavoured as far as possible to cite the earliest
collected specimen we have seen from each County.
In consequence of the unreliable character of the earlier
determinations of Charace^s, we have thought it better in this as
in our other papers, to record only those localities from which
we have ourselves examined specimens.
The varieties given are not intended to be regarded as sub-
species, nor as being all of equal value, as it has been thought
desirable to apply varietal names to the more extreme forms,
although every intermediate state may occur.
Chara frag^IIISf Desv.
113. Kerry, S., - Sneem, 1883. H. A. Ridley.
114. ,, N., - Brandon. D. Moore.
116. Cork, N., - Fernioy. T. Chandlee.
117. Waterford, - Dungarvan Bog, 1882. G. Nicholson.
118. Tipperary, S., Croan, 1872. S. Grub1).
121. Queen's Co., - Maryborough, 1893. R. LI. Praeger.
123. Wicklow, - Murrough of Wicklow, 1849, D. Moore.
125. Dublin, - - Howth, i860. D. Moore.
128. Limerick, - R. Shannon, nr. Limerick, 1892. H. & J' G.
129. Clare, - - Ennis, 1884. S. A. Stewart.
130. Galway, E-, - Castle Taylor. A. G. More.
133. Westmeath, - Ladiston. D. Moore.
135. Galway, W., - Roundstone. Hb. J.Woods.
136. Mayo, W., - L. Cullin. A. G. More.
137. ,, E., - Cong, 1885. E. F. and W. R. Linton.
138. Sligo, - - Lough Gill River, 1884 R. M. Barringtou.
141. Fermanagh, - L- Erne, 1837. \V. Thompson.
142. Cavan, - - Belturbet. D. Moore.
144. Tyrone, - Arboe, 1891. S. A. Brenan.
145. Armagh, - Bird Island, Lough Neagh, 1882. H. W. Lett.
147. Down, - - Loughinisland, 1887. S- A. Stewart.
148. Antrim, - - L- Neagh. D- Moore.
var. barbata, Gant.
114. Kerry, N., - Nr. Ventry, 1894. D. M'Ardle.
123. Wicklow, - Murrough of Wicklow. D.Moore.
132. King's Co., - Geashill, 1894. R. LI. Praeger.
133. Westmeath, - Mullingar, 1877. D. Moore.
147. Down, - - Holywood Hills, 1891. R. LI. Praeger.
148. Antrim, - - Lough Beg, 1846. W. Thompson.
The Distributio7i of the Charace(E in Ireland.
113. Kerry, S.,
125. Dublin, -
135. Galway, W.,
147. Down,
125.
135.
137.
138.
147.
Dublin,
Galway,
Mayo, E.
Sligo,
Down,
W
•>
125. Dublin, -
135. Galway, W.,
T37. Mayo, E.,
139. Leitrim, -
145. Armagh,
146. Donegal,
148. Antrim, -
var. caplllacea, Coss. and G.
- Long Range, 18S7. R. W. Scully.
- Howth, 1894, R. Ivl. Praeger.
- Renvyle, 1832. Hb. Shuttleworth.
- Holy wood, 1885. R. Ivl. Praeger.
var. Hedwlgrll, Kuetz.
- Lucan, 1894. R. LI. Praeger.
_"> Cong, 1885. C.Bailey.
- Lough Gill R. 1884. R. M. Harrington.
- Holywood Hills, 1891. R. LI. Praeger.
var. delicatula, Braun.
Clondalkin, 1894. R. LI. Praeger.
Recess, 1885. E. F. Linton.-
Cong, 1885. C. Bailey.
Glenade L. 1884. R- M. Barrington.
Ardmore Glebe, 1880. Hb. R. LI. Praeger.
L, Sessiagh, 1886. S. A. Stewart.
L. Neagh, 1883. S. A. Stewart.
The plants included by us under the var. delicatula are the smaller
forms with somewhat connivent branchlets and a tendency to produce
spine-cells. Braun employs the name for a sub-species, including all the
forms having prominent primary cortical cells.
A large proportion of the Irish specimens of C.fragilis show a tendency
towards the vars. barbata and delicatula, while the larger forms approach-
ing var. Ht'dwigii seem much less common. We collected a small much
incrusted form in Westmeath, which could scarcely be distinguished
from C. contraria without microscopic examination.
C. fragilis is one of the most widely distributed species, occurring
almost all over the world. It is frequent throughout Great Britain.
[C.fragifera and C. comiivens, which occur in the West of Europe and
in some of the south-western counties of England, may be expected to
occur also in the South of Ireland, and should be searched for in shallow
water near the sea. Both resemble C. fragilis, but maybe readily distin-
guished by being'dioecious, as well as by the strongly incurved branchlets
in the case of C. connivejis and the large compound bulbils on the under-
ground stems of C.fragifera.l
113. Kerry, S.,
114. ,, N.,
121. Queen's Co., -
123. Wicklow,
124. Kildare,
130. Galwaj', E., -
133. Westmeath, -
135. Galway, W.,
136. Mayo, W,,
137- " E.,
141. Fermanagh, -
142. Cavan,.
145. Armagh,
147. Down,
148. Antrim,
149. Londonderry -
C. aspera, Willd.
Killarney, 1887. R. W. Scully.
Castle Gregory LaTce, D. Moor
Farmhill, 1890. R. W. Scully.
Murrough of Wicklow. D. Moore.
Near Monasterevan, 1893. R. LI. Praeger.
Portumna, 1843, D. Moore.
Belvidere, 1846. D. Moore.
Oughterard, 1885. E. F. and W. R. Linton.
L. Cullin. A. G. More.
Foxford. A. G. More.
L. Erne, 1883. S. A. Stewart.
Belturbet. D. Moore.
Near Navan Fort, 1892. R. Ll. Praeger.
Clandeboye Lake, 1882. S. A. Stewart.
Rathlin. Hb. D. Moore.
L- Beg. 1894. R. Ll. Praeger.
^3
JO
The Irish Naturalist,
125. Dublin,
Ci aspcra, var. caplllata, Braun.
- Royal Canal, Blanch ardstown, 1889.
Scully.
130. Galway, B. ,
R, W.
var. curta, Braun.
L. Derg, 1881. B. King.
135. Galway, W.,
136 Mayo, W.,
144. Tyrone,
145. Armagh,
148 Antrim,
138. Sligo,
139. Leitrim,
148. Antrim,
149. Londonderrj%
var. lacustrlSf H. and J. G.
- Roundstone. Hb., J. Woods.
■ L,. Cullin. A. G. More.
- Arboe, 1891, S.A. Brenan.
- L. Neagh, Lurgan, 1890. R. LI. Praeger.
• Iv. Neagh, Crumlin, 1894. S. A. Stewart.
var. sublnermlSy Kuetz.
- Lough Gill R., 1884. R. M. Barrington,
- GlenadeL, 1884. R. M, Barrington,
- Rathlin I. D. Moore.
R. Bann, 1894. R, LI. Praeger,
C. aspera is a common species in Ireland, occurring in the lakes and
canals as well as in the peat-pits and pools, and is more generally distri-
buted than in England. It occurs throughout Europe and in North
Africa and North America. The plant we have referred to the var.
(iirta has short incurved branchlets and many short spine-cells, but is
not so extreme as some of the continental plants, which have the
branchlets only from 2-3 mm. long. In L- Owel, Westmeath, we col-
lected a plant with very long internodes and comparatively very short
incurved branchlets, which resembled the Swiss plant much magnified.
The var. capillaia from Co. Dublin is not so extreme as the Holyhead
plant. Man)' of the Irish specimens approach this variety.
[C. strigosa, Braun. In the Journal of Botany, May, 1887, we suggested
the possibility of a specimen collected by Mr. R. M. Barrington in Lough
Ree belonging to this species, but being sterile we were unable to deter-
mine it. Since then we have not had any further light thrown on the
subject, and having in view the curious forms of C. aspera which we have
collected in the Westmeath lakes, we think the plant is possibly only a
state of that species. It would, however, be very desirable for L. Ree to
be searched in order to settle the question.]
116. Cork, N.,
124. Kildare, -
121. Queen's Co.,
123. Wicklow,
130. Galway, E.,
133. Westmeath,
135. Galway, W.,
137. Mayo, E.,
145. Armagh,
C. polyacantha, Braun.
Shanagarry Bog. I. Carroll.
I Canal, near Monasterevan, 1893. R. LI. Praeger,
Near Newcastle, 1892. R. M. Barrington and
H. and J. G.
Headford, 1832. Hb. Shuttleworth.
Scraw Bog, near L. Owel, 1892. H. C. Levinge.
Moycullen, 1892. H. and J. G.
Foxford. A. G. More.
Loughgall L., 1892. R. LI. Praeger.
This species was figured by Plukenet in 1691 from a specimen collected
by Sherard in " Turf Bogs in Ireland." It usually occurs in peat-pits and
ditches. In Britain it is generally much incrusted, but we have had
The Distribution of the Characece in Ireland, ri
Several beautiful unincrusted forms from the Irish bogs. The distribution
of C. polyacantha appears to be very limited. It is recorded from Sweden,
Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, North Italy, and France.
C. conti*ar!a, Kuetz.
113. Kerry, S., - Caragh, 1888. R. W. Scull}'. ^
124. KUdare, -^ ' -i ^^^^^> Monasterevan, 1893. R. Ll. Praeger. .■
125. Dublin, - - Glasnevin, 1882. D. M'Ardle.
130. Galway, E., - L. Derg, 1885. B. F. and W. R. Ivinton.
133. Westmeath, - L. Ennel, 1892. H. and J. G.
139. Leitrim, - - L. Allen, 1883. S. A. Stewart.
145. Armagh, - - Croaghan I., L. Neagh, 1880. H. W. Lett.
147. Down, - - Clandeboye Lower Lake, 1891. R. Ll. Praeger.
149. Londonderry,- Limavadyjunc, 18S9. W. D. Donnan and R. Ll
Praeger.
var. hlspidula* Braun.
133. Westmeath, - Brittas Lake, 1892. H. C. Levinge and H. and J. "G»
\'l M^%7-' :} C-g. '««5. C. Bailey.
A common species in Ireland, occurring in great quantity in the large
lakes, and varying considerably from the commonest form, which is a small
slender plant resembling C. fragilis, to the very large lax form in Brittas
Lake, Westmeath, which grows three or four feet high and has branchlets
\\ inches long, and to the stout compact form from Loughs Derg, EnneL
andDerevaragh, with short, stout, incurved branchlets resembling the var.
crassicaiilis of C. vulgaris. C. contraria is world-wide in its distribution,
occurring in all five Continents and in Australia.
C. denudata^ Braun. =C. dissoluiay Leonh.
133. Westmeath, - Brittas Lake, 1892, H. C. Levinge.
This plant resembles the large forms of C contraria from the same lake,
but is almost entirel}^ destitute of cortex. The primary series of cortical cells
are occasionally partially developed above the whorls, but are usually
represented by a single cell above and below, each branchlet growing
outwards instead of adhering to the internodal cell. C. demidata has
been recorded from single localities in Switzerland and Italy, and from
Cape Colony ; but the Irish form is more extreme than either of these.
It is doubtful, however, notwithstanding the apparently important
differences, whether these plants may not all be only degraded states
of C. contraria.
(TO BE CONCI.UDED).
12 » The Irish Naturalist.
SABINE'S SNIPE.
GAI.I.INAGO COEI.ESTIS, VAR. SABINII.
BY G. K. H. BARRETT- HAMII^TON.
On August 2ist, 1822, a Snipe was shot near Portarliugton,
Queen's County, by the Rev. Charles Doyne, and was described
by N. A. Vigors as Scolopax Sabiiii {Trans. Limi. Soc, vol.
xiv, p. 556). Vigors distinguished his bird from the Common
Snipe {S. gallinago) by its colour, by its possession of only
twelve (instead of fourteen) tail-feathers, by the two exterior
toes being "united to the base for a short distance," by the
tarsi being ^^^ of an inch shorter than those of 6*. gallinago, and
by the greater stoutness of the tarsi.
Subsequently, additional specimens of Sabine's vSnipe were
obtained, chiefly in Ireland, so that in 1850, William Thompson
(Nat. Hist, of Ireland, vol. ii, pp. 273 — 277) was able to give
notes of ten Irish specimens, while a few others had been
procured in England, but in Scotland none at all. The bird
had now become, in the words of Thompson, "one of the
greatest puzzles in Ornithology," since it was not known out
of the British Islands, and there only as one of which a few
individuals had fallen before the guns of snipe-shooters : of
its breeding haunts absolutely nothing had been ascertained.
Enough specimens had now been obtained to enable
naturalists to suspect that the structural characters laid down
by Vigors as distinguishing Sabine's from the Common Snipe
were somewhat unreliable, and Thompson {pp. cit.), though he
gave the bird rank as a species in his work, was compelled to
confess that for some time past he " had not felt altogether
satisfied respecting its distinctness as a species." After show-
ing the invalidity of Vigors' structural characters, he remarks
that in colour Sabine's Snipe " is peculiar and constant."
Every specimen of S. Sabini that had occurred was coloured
much alike, and was remarkable by " the total absence of white
from its plumage, or of any of those lighter tints of ferruginous
yellow which extend more or less in stripes along the head
and back "of the other European Snipes."
In the works of later writers, Sabine's Snipe is regarded
merely as a melanic variety of the Common Snipe. I think,
however, that it presents several points of interest, which
are well worth the attention of naturalists.
Sabine' s Snipe. 13
in the first place tliere is its extremel}^ curious distribution.
I have been at some pains to make a complete list of all
recorded occurrences of Sabine's Snipe, with the result that I
have notes of (in all) about fifty -five examples, v^^hich have
been stated to have been either obtained or observed from time
to time.' Probabl}' others have been obtained, but they have
either been unrecorded or have escaped my notice, as Pro-
fessor Newton informs me that when he was in Dublin in
i860 there were about half a dozen Sabine's Snipes stuffed
(infamously) and placed on a board in the Museum of Trinity
College, not one of which had been recorded, nor did anyone
seem to know their history. Of the odd fifty-five examples
w^hose capture has been from time to time recorded, thirty-
one (or about three-fifths) hail from Ireland, twenty-two from
England, one from Scotland, and one from the Continent of
Europe. The bird should, therefore, possess a peculiar
interest for Irish ornithologists — whose country it favours so
strangely in its appearances. The Irish examples have been
recorded from sixteen out of the thirty-two Irish counties,
and from almost every part of Ireland, except the south-east
(the east coast can only claim one). In the North, Derry
heads the list with five examples (some of them only seen,
and not obtained), Donegal claims four, and Tyrone one.
In the West, Mayo claims one, Galway one, Clare one, and
Kerry two. In the South, Cork claims three, and Waterford
one. Of the central counties (taking them from north to
south) examples have been recorded from Cavan (one), West-
meath (one). King's County (one), Kildare (one), Queen's
County (one), and Tipperary (one). The interesting feature
of the distribution of Sabine's Snipe in Ireland would appear
to be its apparent absence (at least as far as can be ascertained
from the available records) froni the eastern counties of
Antrim, Down, Armagh, I^outh, Meath, Wicklow, Carlow, and
Wexford. The only eastern Irish example of which I have
any note is that recorded from Dublin by Mr. H. Blake Knox
{Zoologist, 1866, p. 302). Several Irish examples can not be
traced to any particular county.
■■ Twenty-five occurrences have been collected by Mr. J. E. Harting
in the Field, for Dec. 10, 1870, p. 521, and I have been much indebted to
his list of occurrences up to 1870.
14 The Irish Naturalist.
As regards England, nearly all the occurrences of Sabine's
Snipe have been in the south and east, and a line drawn
across the map of England from the Wash on the east to the
junction of the Counties of Gloucester and Somerset on the
Severn on the west, would cut off on the north an area
from w^hich Sabine's Snipe has only twice been recorded — in
both cases in Yorkshire. In Wales it does not appear to have
yet been seen or captured, and the solitary Scotch example is
that recorded by Colonel Fielden in the Zoologist (ss. p. 3,188)
from Montrose.
The only continental example I can find any record of is
" a light-coloured example now in the foreign collection of the
British Museum," and " stated by the late Jules Verraux to
have been shot near Paris" (Yarrell's "British Birds" 4 Ed.,
vol. iii, p. 349). The history of this specimen might well
stand on stronger evidence.^
To sum up the distribution of Sabine's Snipe, it is confined
(with the exception of one somewhat doubtful specimen) to
the British Isles, and in them has occurred most frequently in
Ireland. In the south and south-east of England it has
/\A occurred .earl}^ as frequently as in Ireland, but in the north
and in Scotland it is almost unknown.^
The distribution of Sabine's Snipe shows a curious resem-
blance to that of another melanic animal, which was first
recorded from Ireland, viz., the melanic variety of the Common
Rat {JMus decunianus), which was described by Thompson as
Mils hiberniciis. This equally interesting form has occurred in
abundance (though sporadically) in man)^ parts of Ireland, and
^ I have just examined this specimen. It is a very nice example, and
rather lighter all through than Vigors' type, which is also in the British
Museum collection. On the wooden stand on which it is fixed is a note
in pencil that it was obtained in February, 1854, and that it is a male,
but I could find no further details of its history at the Museum.
- Since writing the above I have had the opportunity of examining two
additional Scotch examples of Sabine's vSnipe, which are preserved in the
collection of the British Museum of Natural History at South Ken-
sington. One of these was obtained at Clackmannan, in December, 1890,
and presented by Lord Balfour of Burleigh in 1891. The second, pre-
sented by Captain Verner, was obtained on Tiree Island, in the Outer
Hebrides, in January, 1887. It is more like a Common Snipe, especially
in the head, than any of the seven examples in the collection at South
Kensington— but it has no white on the under parts, and is certainly a
Sabine's Snipe.
Sabine's Snipe. 15
also, although very rarely, in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and
England. On the Continent I cannot find any record of its
occurrence except that of A. Milne-Edwards, who reported
black varieties of Mus decumanus from Paris {Ann. Sci. Nat.,
1871, XV, art. 7).
It is hard, however, to speak with confidence of the distri-
bution in Great Britain of Mus hibernicus, since there are three
mammals which are reported indiscriminately as Black Rats,
e.g. Mus rattus, the true black rat ; Mus hibernicus, a variety of
Mzcs decumafius ; and (I believe, most frequently of all) the black
variety of the Water Vole, Microtus aniphibius.
The points of resemblance in the distribution of the two
melanic animals, Sabine's Snipe and the Irish Rat, and the
fact of their much more frequent occurrence in Ireland than
in any other country, led me to inquire if in Ireland there
might be a general tendency to melanistic forms. I cannot say
however, that my investigations have hitherto met with much
success. In Vertebrates I think the few cases which have
come under my notice might have occurred in any country,
and are certainly too meagre to bring forward here. In re-
gard to Lepidoptera, Mr. G. H. Carpenter, of the Science and
Art Museum, Dublin, has very kindly replied to ni}^ inquiries
as follows : —
"With regard to Irish I^epidoptera, among butterflies Meli-
tcEa aurifiia and Puris 7iapi are more deepl}^ marked in Ireland,
the latter on the west coast sometimes approaching the alpine
var. bryo7iice. Noctuid moths are generally dark and rich in
Ireland, and so are some Geometers. But all these dark var-
ieties turn up in parts of Great Britain — mountains and
northern districts, .specially the western Scottish Highlands,
Hebrides, and Shetland."
In regard to mollusca. Dr. R. F.- Scharfif, aLso of the Dublin
Museum of Science and Art, has most obligingly replied in a
very similar manner. He writes — "I once thought that there
were instances among slugs of melanism confined to Ireland,
or even to the British Islands, but similar cases have turned
up in a number of places all over Europe." So far, then, I am
unable to bring forward any support for the suggestion I put
forward that melanism might be more common in Ireland
than in Great Britain, but the question cannot yet be regarded
as anything like fully worked out.
1 6 The h'ish Natural ist.
In time, Sabine's Snipe has been distributed sporadically
since Vigors described it in 1822. From that year to the
present time examples have been obtained one by one, seldom
more than one in any single j^ear, and seldom more than
three or four years have intervened between the individual
occurrences.
Sabine's Snipe has been shot in ever}' month of the shoot-
ing season, that is from September to March, most numerouslj',
perhaps, from October to January. No doubt, were snipe
shooting customar}" all the year round, every month would be
able to claim one or two examples. Of the spring, summer,
and autumn months, August claims four examples, including
two as early as the 5th. To September, however, I can only
allot one, and that on the 28th of the month. One in Mr. J.
H. Gurney's collection was shot on the 5th of May, but no
specimens that I am aware of have been shot in the months of
April, June, or July, except one obtained in the breeding
season of 1831 or 1832 at Heron Court, Hants (E5'ton's ''Rarer
British Birds," p. 160).
Among the recorded instances of the occurrence of this bird
I have been unable to find many allusions to the sex of the
examples obtained, but several are stated to have been females,
and at least one was a male. This form of plumage is, there-
fore, not confined to either sex.
It is nearly impossible to examine a series of examples
of Sabine's Snipe, since there is no collection that I know of
which contains a good series. I cannot, therefore, say much
of the plumage of this bird, or to what extent individuals var)^
from the type. That they do vary to a certain extent is cer-
tain, and two birds have been described as being intermediate
in coloration between Sabine's and the Common Snipe. One
of these was obtained near Waterford, on November 25th, 1883.
It was examined by Mr. J. E. Harting, and by him described
in the Zoologist (1884, p. 272). It was remarkable for its pale
tone of coloration. The second was killed in the vicinity of
Hastings, and examined by Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., who
remarked that it approximated more closel}^ to the Common
than to Sabine's Snipe, but he had seen no variety of the
Snipe exactly like it {Zoologist, 1884, p. 339). Other specimens
have been recorded to vary in the shade of their plumage,
thus the specimen, which is stated to have been obtained near
Sabinds Snipe. 17
Paris {vide supra, p. 14), was a light-coloured individual,
while others have been recorded as ver^^ dark examples.
Numerous other varieties of the Common Snipe have been
from time to time obtained and recorded, and I believe some
remarkable varieties are in the collection of Mr. John Mar-
shall, of Taunton. Mr. Whitaker, of Rainworth, Mansfield,
Notts, has kindly informed me that he has in his collection
nine Snipe, running from Sabine's Snipe to examples with
the body white and the wings brown, and with the body brown
and wings white, as well as examples which are pale cream,
pale brown, dark brown, and brown with white wings and
cream back.
It is possible that all the examples of Sabine's Snipe may
be birds of the year, which supposition would account for the
ovate shape of the dorsal feathers — a point formerly insisted
on as showing its distinction from the Common Snipe. Pro-
fessor Newton informs me that he has never seen an example
of Sabine's Snipe which had the appearance of a really adult
bird.
The above remarks are a mere summary of the notes I have
been so far able to collect on this interesting bird. They are
not intended to give a complete account of it, but I think
they have touchedupon some of the mere interesting features in
its history. The number of examples killed is only approxi-
mate, as it is impossible to trace the authenticity of every
reported example. The addition, or subtraction, of one or
two examples from the list would, however, in no way disturb
the conclusions to be drawn from them.
1 8 The Irish Naturalist,
DONAX VITTATUS, var. TRUNCATUS (Marshall, ms.).
BY MISS AMY WARREN.
Mr. Marshall, of Sevenoaks, Torquay, to whom I owe much
regarding shells, has drawn \\\y attention to a form oi Donax
vittatus that I have sent him, and which is unlike the English
form. He says : — " These Irish specimens partake of some of
the characters of the var. turgida, which is * larger, ventricose,
and longer,' but in addition the posterior end is abruptly
truncate instead of being obliquely so. It is in reality an
intermediate form between D. vittatus and D. truncuhis,
having the proportions of the latter, but the typical charac-
teristics of the former, to which it belongs without a doubt."
In my district, Killala Ba}^ this truncated variety is the
prevailing form, and the type the rarit3^ I have some speci-
mens of D. vittatus from the North Bull, Dublin, and all
belong to the type. It would be interesting if collectors along
the coast would note where the truncated variety appears.
Mr. Marshall adds that this form is peculiar to the south
and west of Ireland, and he has given it the M.S. name of var.
truncatus, the characters being : — ** Thick and solid, deeper or
longer from the beaks, ver}^ convex, posterior slope short and
abrupt. He adds, " the umbonal area inside the valves of all
these Irish specimens is curiously fretted with deep pit-marks
which may be caused by an internal parasite. Many j^ears
ago in dredging the variety nitida on the Doggerbank I
found that 50 per cent, of them contained a small parasitic
crab, and the presence of parasites may also account for the
convexity of both these varieties."
Fig. I Fig. 2.
In the accompanying drawing, kindly made by Dr. ScharfF,
fig. I represents a characteristic specimen of the new variety
gathered by me at Killala Bay ; while, added for sake of
comparison, is an example of the type from Torbay (fig. 2),
sent me by Mr. Marshall.
[ 19 ]
IRISH MOTHS.
The notes on Irish INIoths which have appeared in the Irish Naturalist
(vol. iii., pp. 217, 233), may perhaps be made slightly more complete and
exact by publishing the following memoranda. The name of Hepiahis
hipulitnis Hb., rightly recorded in Mr. Barrett's work as Irish and
occurring in Galway, was referred to b}' me in its place in the list, on
p. 13 of vol. xxvii. of the Entomologist, as " Abundant and similarly
distributed as the former. I have noticed it flying in the sunshine."
But by a typographical error the name was not inserted b}- the printer at
the close of my notice oi H. velleda. This will be corrected in the reprint.
Since publishing my notes on the Cymatophoridi^. I have seen a specimen
oi Asphalia flaviconiis taken by Mr. Dillon at Clonbrock, and also received
a letter from Mr. Campbell of Derry withdrawing his record of C. or
published in the Irish Naturalist (vol. ii., 1S93, p. 22), and stating that the
insect turns out to be A.Jlavicornis. This species will have therefore to be
added. A second Stauropus fagi was taken by me in Kerry this summer
and one at Clonbrock by Mr. Dillon's gamekeeper. Mr. E. Porter also
writes that he met with some very small larvce of the same species on the
shores of Upper L. Erne this summer, but failed to rear them. None of
the larvae attributed to Pygccra curtula taken by me at Galway and Ros-
common, and by Mr. Watts in Co. Down in 1893, survived the pupal stage,
so that, as those of P. pigra are when full fed very similar, the record of
P. curtula requires further authentication. The following species
mentioned in the notice on " Irish Moths" as having been added by ]\Ir.
Dillon to the Irish list, had been taken elsewhere in Ireland previously,
namely — Luperina cespitis, Pericallia syringaria, Eupithccia fraxinata, and E.
hidigafa. This summer however he has added to the extraordinary series
of rarities already announced, single specimens each oi Leucawa tuna, and
OphioJcs luiiaris ; which he tells me were part of the captures of a game-
keeper, Frank Mason, at Clonbrock, in his (Mr. Dillon's) absence this
summer. In reply to the comment on my having published a few of the
earlier Clonbrock captures without giving the captor's name and exact
localit}', I would here desire to mention that I know Mr. Dillon at first
intended to send a list of them to an entomological journal ; but, on
further consideration, decidednotto do so for fear of attracting undCvSirable
collectors. Under these circumstances \ thought it better to announce
the captures without making public the name of the captor, rather than
suppress information of such interest. But when further remarkable
additions to our fauna turned up, Mr. Dillon at once waived all objection,
and sent a list, with full particulars of his most important captures up to
date, for insertion in the Entomologist.
The Editors of the Iiish Naturalist kindh^ give me credit for carefulness
when identifying the Clonbrock specimens, and I can only say that I have
used my utmost endeavours to assure myself that no accidental inclusion
of continental specimens has taken place. Indeed my sceptical enquirers
have occasionally verged on impoliteness, which has been condoned in a
manner my own incredulity has not always experienced from other col-
lectors. In answer to the stricture upon my having attempted to
20 The Irish NaUcratist.
acclimatise new species in Ireland, I beg leave to assure my brother
entomologists that none of the three or four species of Lepidoptera experi-
mented with by me from time to time are such as would be taken to be
indigenous in Ireland. Particulars will be given in my Catalogue, and
if any of these exotics should turn up at any time their origin will be at
once traceable. But I cannot flatter raj-self that any success has been
attained. No erroneous conclusions therefore are possible under these
circumstances. All such experiments ought to be conducted with due
precautions against such a contingency, and duly recorded to prevent
error. I join heartily in reprobating, in the strongest manner, any
careless introduction of British species into our island fauna.
Wm. Francis de V. Kane.
NOTES.
BOTANY.
PHANEROGAMS.
Irish teramblcs. — In th.^ Journal of Botany for January, Mr. Praeger
gives a further enumeration of Brambles collected by him in Ireland,
and named by Dr. O. Focke and Rev. Moyle Rogers ; of these R, viicans
and A', saxicolus do not appear to have been noted in Ireland hitherto,
and most of the other notes form new district records.
Vicia lathyroidcs, L., In Co. WIcklow.— In the early spring of
this year I gathered this rare plant in some plenty growing on the flats
amone the sandhills just south of Arklow.
'^^ R. W. SCUI.I.Y, Dublin.
Erythreea pulchclla, Fr., and Polypogon monspeliensis,
Dcsf. on the North Bull. — I was glad to re-find this ^;ji'///;v?a last
summer near the coastguard's garden. Mr. More tells me it has not
been seen on the Bull for some years. One fine tuft of the Polypogon — a
most beautiful grass— was growing in a neglected patch of the coast-
guard's garden, no doubt introduced with seeds.
R. W. SCQI.I.Y.
Some Cork Aliens.— In the summer of 1891 I came across the fol-
lowing aliens growing on an extensive rubbish heap beside the river
Lee in the City of Cork. The rubbish heap was apparently derived from
a lar""e distillery in the immediate neighbourhood. Alyssiini calyciniini, L.,
Sisy inln-iuiii pannonicum, ]2iC(\., E>ysitnnm oruntalc, R, Br., E. repandum, L.,
Camelina sativa, Cratz., Lcpidium perfoliatuni, L., Thlaspi arvense,!-,., Anthcmis
arvensis, L., Brovius tecioriim, L. Of these Erysiimim repandtun, Sisymbrium
pannonicvin and Brovnis tcctorum occurred in great abundance. Several
other plants I have not yet been able to name. It will be interesting to
note how long the above will hold their ground, and whether they will
spread to neighbouring localities.
R. W. Scui,i,Y-
Notes. 21
ZOOLOGY.
INSECTS.
Thccia betulds In Co. Wexford.— Mr. Moffat in t\\^ Irish Naturalist
for October, 1894, comments upon my having omitted Killoughruni Forest
as a locality for this interesting butterfly in my ''Catalogue of Irish
Lepidoptera. " Nevertheless, if he will refer again to it he will find
" Killoughrum Wood, Enniscorthy, Moffat," included in my notice of its
distribution ! I was not therefore unmindful of his courtesy, and onlv
\\ash that he would send me a local list of Heterocera also. I am much
interested to hear oi Nisoniades tagcs having been taken there.
Wm. F. de V. Kane, Drumreaske, Monaghan.
Lepidoptera at Howth In 1894.— On Feb. 'jth^Phlogophora metiadosa
and Phigalia pedaria came to light, one of each. At the end of the month,
Larentia multisttigaria began to emerge in the breeding pots. The larvae
were from eggs laid by a Howth moth in March, 1893, and were easily
fed upon Galium of different species. On March 17th, I took Tceniocampa
nmnda at Sallows, but not abundantly ; I had not observed it at Howth
before, and in Birchall's list it is only down for Killarney. In April
I took some larvae of Epunda lichenea which fed upon Primrose, and
emerged in due course during September. The Dianthcecice seemed
very scarce this year ; even D. capsophila was hardly to be found.
On June 30th, I took Venusia canibrica, which is probably the first record
from Howth ; Birchall gives but one locality — Powerscourt. In July,
Aplecta nehulosa appeared at sugar amid swarms of Xylophasia nionoglypha.
In September, A gratis precox and Cilix glaucata came to light.
G. V. Hart, Dublin.
BIRDS.
Woodcocks nesting: in Co. Wicklow.— Lt.-Col. Bayly writes in
Zoologist for November, that a note in his diary records that on August
3rd, 1866, five Woodcocks, two old and three young birds, were seen by
him in the woods at Ballyarthur.
.MAMMALS.
IVIarten In Co. Westmeath. — I have found an entry in an old
game-book that has been kept at this house since the year 1814, to the
effect that a Pine Marten was killed at Knock Drin, in the winter of
1845-6. The exact date is not specified ; but it was on some day between
October 23rd, 1845, and January 3rd, 1846.
H. C. LEVINGE (in Zoologist for November).
GEOLOGY.
Kitchen Middens, Co. Doneg^al. — I think Mr. Harte, County
Surveyor, was the first to draw attention to these in N. E. Donegal, in a
paper read before the R. G.S.I. Afterwards they were recorded by Mr.
Mahony, M.R.I. A,, of Ramelton, in a paper read before the Glasgow
Society. But neither of the explorers recorded worked implements or
pottery. Subsequently, when I saw them I concluded that, as in Antrim,
the remains of some of the pots in which the water was loaded ought to
be found. I carefully searched, but found none. It is therefore extremely
interesting to me to learn that Mr. Welch has been more successful. I
hope he will follow up his find with worked implements, as they ought
to be there similarly as in the Kitchen Middens of S. W, Donegal,
G. H. KiNAHAN, Fairview, Dublin.
22 Thcbish Naturalist.
PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYATv ZOOLOGICAI, SOCIETY.
Recent donations comprise a Chough from R. Brennan, Esq. ; a pair
of Pigeons from Master W. Stubbs ; a Heron from H. C. Carey, Esq ; a
Guinea-pig from J. Condon, Esq.; a I.ong-earcd Owl and a Sparrow-hawk
from Captain Carpendale ; a Persian Cat from ]\Iiss Maher; a Pheasant
from W. J. Williams, Esq. ; and a Herring-gull from R. V. Sinclair, Esq,
A number of fish, including Gunfish, Catfish, Bass, Carp, Tench, &c.,
have been purchased for the aquarium.
3,500 persons visited the Gardens in November.
DUBTvIN MlCROSCOPICAI, Cl.UB.
November 15th.— The Club met at Mr. G. H. CarpENTER'vS, who
showed rows of teeth on the front tarsi of species of Corixa. These,
drawn across the edge of the face of the insect, are believed to produce a
stridulation. They were described and figured by exhibitor in the
Irish Naturalist for December, 1894 (p. 253).
Prof. Cole exhibited a section of a rock found in an old collection,
labelled " Pyromerine, I. of Elba." The peculiarity of this specimen lies
in the fact that the spherulites consist of a well-developed soda-horn-
blende, the delicate needles of which spread outward from certain centres
through a grovmd of minute micropegmatite, the latter being formed as
usual of quartz and felspar. The spherulites in the old " pyromerides "
of Corsica are, on the other hand, of the ordinary felspathic type, but
developed on a large scale.
Mr. Moore showed Chlaviydococats pluvialis, Br, a curious and interest-
ing species of very varying nature, both as to size and shape as well as
colour. Some of the individuals w-ere green, others red or brown, and
partially green and partially red. It belongs to the Volvocineas and is
closely allied to the "red snow" C/ila/nydococciis nivalis. The specimens
had been found under the down-pipe from the roof of Roman Catholic
Church near Glasnevin, the stones under the spout appearing as if they
had received a coat of red paint.
Mr. M'Ardle exhibited a specimen of llcrhirta adiinca, Dicks (B. Gr.),
a liverwort which he collected last May on Connor Hill near Dingle,
where it grows in large tufts. The leaves are arranged in four roM's of a
bright yellow colour, ovate lanceolate in outline, secund, deeply divided
into two attenuated lobes. Their structure is interesting ; the cells are
well defined ; those at the base of the leaf and along the centre of its two
segments are linear, and of a different shape from the others, and have
thicker walls forming a pseudo-nerve ; the outer cells are crenated, with
the surface raised into delicate stride. This distinct plant is held by many
good authorities to be the Irish form of a Himala3'an liverwort collected by
Sir J. D. Hooker, known under the name oi Sendtmra junipcrinay Swartz.
Dr. M'WeENEY showed cultures and slides of Strt'p(olhrix nigra Gas-
perini, a peculiar form intermediate in position between the Schizomycetes
and the higher Eungi, found by him in a brownish stratum of clay about
three feet below the surface at the Richmond Asylum, Dublin. The
organism consists of tufted masses of branching threads resembling
mycelium, were it not for their extreme tenuity (.5 — \\i). The colonies
on various nutrient materials become surrounded by a very conspicuous
brownish-black pigment. When they have attained a certain age they
become whitish and flocculent at the periphery. This corresponds to
the formation of aerial branches the apices of which swell up, and come
to contain minute spores. The ray-fungus, to which the now well-known
Actinomycosis is due, belongs to the genus Strepiothrix and is closely
allied to the present species, which was first found in earth and soil about
two years ago by Gasperini and subsequently rather abundantly in the
air of Rome and other places in Italy by Rossi Doria. This is the first
note of its occurrence in the British Isles,
P7'oceedings of Irish Societies. 23
BEI.FAST Naturai. History and PhiIvOSophicai. Society.
November 13th. — The seventy-fourth session was opened in the
Museum, College Square North, when the inaugural address was delivered
by the President (Mr. Robert L1.0YD Patterson, j.p., f.i,.s.)
Mr. Patterson said that, on assuming the presidential chair at that the
opening meeting of the seventy-fourth session of their Society, he was
pleased at being able to congratulate his fellow-members on its continued
vitality and activity, notwithstanding its advancing years. To the
thoughtfulness of a lady — a life-long friend andwell-wisher of the Society,
the late Miss Thompson— they were indebted for the bequest of an
admirable portrait of her brother, Mr. William Thompson, one of the
most distinguished of their former Presidents. A member had presented
a very good likeness of another former President, Mr. Robert Patterson,
while to a valued and useful member, Mr. Swanston, they were much in-
debted for the recent gift of a bust of one of the most eminent naturalists
the century had produced — Professor Edward Forbes — a man of truly re-
markable powers and brilliant genius. The three had been united in bonds
of the closest friendship, cemented by a community of taste and of interest
in certain branches of science, a pursuit which was to Forbes a profession :
to Thompson — a man of means and leisure — an occupation ; but to
Patterson — a man of business — merely a relaxation. It occurred to him
(the President) that the acquisition by the Society almost simultaneously
of these mementoes of the three friends might fittingly be made the
occasion of a brief review of their lives. He could not recall Mr Forbes.
He knew he had seen him ; but he remembered Mr. Thompson very well
indeed. He was the first of the three to be called away. After speaking
of the early life of Mr. Thompson, the President pointed out that his first
contribution to the proceedings of one of the English learned societies
seemed to have been in 1833 — a communication on the iVrctic Tern and
other rare birds observed in Ireland, made to the Zoological Society
of London. From that period up to the time of his premature and
lamented death he was a frequent and valued contributor to the different
English scientific journals.
As to Robert Patterson, he should for obvious reasons say less. He
survived his friend Thompson exactly twenty years. His was an uneventful,
busy, happy life, passed in a business to which he had been brought up,
which he inherited from his father, and left to his eldest son. With him
literature and science, although a passion, were merely a relaxation, not
an occupation. His books were written in the leisure of his evenings at
home, and published with the hope of enlisting more general interest in
the study of Natural History. He was one of the earliest, strongest, and
most consistent advocates for the adoption of Natural History as a regular
part of the education of our youth, and he lived to see the realisation of
much of his dream. Mr. Patterson was one of the seven
founders of the Society in 182 1. He passed through almost every
minor office in it till 1852, when on Mr. Thompson's death he was elected
President,an office which hesubsequently filledon more than oneoccasion.
Referring to Professor Forbes, the speaker said he was an original and
commanding genius, and a most interesting personality. He was born at
Douglas. Isle of Man, on the 12th February, 1815, and died at Edinburgh
on the i8th November, 1854, aged only thirty-nine years and nine months.
During his short life he accomplished an enormous amount of work.
Mr. Patterson then gave some very interesting particulars of Forbes's
life, taken from his biography. Of him it was no exaggeration to say that
his was a most original, versatile, and brilliant intellect of the highest
order. His early death was an irreparable loss to the whole scientific
world of the period.
The President of the Belfast Queen's College (Rev. Dr. Hamii^Ton)
moved a vote of thanks to the President for his address.
Mr, Robert Young, j,p., seconded the motion, which was passed
by acclamation, and the meeting then coucluded,
24 -l-he Irish Nahiralist
Bei^fast Naturai^tsts' Fiki,d Ci^ub.
November 2oTh.— The President (Mr. F. W. Lockwood, C.E.)
delivered his openiiif^ address. He congratulated the Field Club upon
its continued prosperity and the recent great increase of zeal as indicated
by the formation of various subsections, such as the Microscopical
Committee, the Celtic Class, the Photographic Committee, and the
Geological Committee, all of which were doing good work. He then
went on to comment at greater length upon the investigations by the
Geological Committee into glacial plienomena generally. The various
changes of opinion on this question were commented upon, and the
principal theories upon the Great Ice Age described at some length. In
conclusion, the speaker remarked that it was singular how little use
appears to have been made of the microscope in these investigations.
Marine claj's almost invariably yield specimens of foraminifera and
kindred forms, which are strictly sea- water genera, yet except by their
fellow-member, Mr. Joseph Wright, the Boulder clays do not appear to
have been systematically searched for them. So far as this section of the
country was concerned the Geological Committee of the Club could not
do better than in continuing the work they had so energetically com-
menced, and if they could persuade a sufficient number of competent
observers in Great Britain to take up the microscopic investigations of
the Boulder clays there, the geologists of Britain would be in a fair way
to solve the great glacial problem.
Mr. Joseph Wright, F.G.S., mentioned that with geologists in the
North of Ireland it had always been considered as a marine deposit, and
so long ago as 1841 General Portlock, in his report on the geology of
Londonderry, recorded the occurrence of marine shells in this drift.
Subsequently Mr. S. A. Stewart published in the Club's Proceedings a
list of the mollusca of the Boulder clay in which he recorded the
occurrence of shells from a number of North ot Ireland localities,
proving that the clay in question was fossiliferous. Some of the bivalve
mollusca, especially two species of Ltda, were found by him having the
valves united, showing that these species must have lived on the spot in
which they were found. Mr. Wright made a microscopic examination
of the same clays, and in every case he found them to contain foramini-
fera. He also met with foraminifera in many samples of the clay which
were devoid of molluscan remains, these tiny rhizopods being as perfect
as when brought up by the dredge from our existing seas. From that
time up to the present further examinations of the Boulder clay have
been made and always yielded similar results. He also stated that, through
the courtesy of a Scotch geologist, Mr. James Neilson, he received five
samples of Boulder clay from the vicinity of Glasgow, in all of which
foraminifera were present. In addition to these, he received from Mr,
John Stears, of Hull, a packet of Boulder clay from that locality. This
sample of English Boulder clay was also found to contain foraminifera.
These results are interesting by reason of the common occurrence of
these marine microzoa, most English and Scotch geologists having
been hitherto of the opinion that the Boulder clay was the result of land
ice, and had not a marine origin.
Mr. A. Percy Hoskins, PM.C, F.C.S., read a carefully-prepared analy-
tical paper on a sample of glauconite from Woodburn, Carrickfergus.
Mr. R. LivOYD Praeger made some general remarks on the history
and work of the different Irish Clubs, and brought forward a scheme for a
union of all the Field Clubs of Ireland, and for a general conference
next summer.
The President and Mr. Joseph Wright spoke in favour of the
scheme, and Mr. W11.1.IAM Gray, M.R.I. A., offered some criticisms.
Mr. F. J. Bigger, Honorary Secretary, in supporting the scheme, said
it was not contemplated that the individuality of the clubs, nor their
power over their own work, should be interfered with in any way, but
that a Central Committee of all the Clubs should be appointed for
carrying on general work.
Mr. W. H. Patterson, 1M.R.I.A., also spoke in favour of the scheme.
Irish Naturai^ist, Voi,. IV.]
[Pl,AT^ 2.
ANIMALS FROM THE MITCHELSTOWN CAVE.
©Ije ^vi^ij ^ainvali&t
Vol. IV. FEBRUARY, 1895. No. 2.
ANIMATES FOUND IN THE MiTCHElvSTOWN CAVE.
BY GHORGK H. CARPENTER, B.SC.
(Read before the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, December nth, 1894.)
The joint meeting of the Dublin, Cork, and I^imerick Field
Clubs, held at Fermo}' during the past summer, will remain a
pleasant memory to all who were privileged to take part in it.
Of the various excursions undertaken on that occasion, the
most novel and fascinating to the majority of those present
was, doubtless, the exploration, on the afternoon of July 6th,
of the famous caverns situated in the Carboniferous lyime-
stone, near Mitchelstown. An interesting account of the topo-
graphy of these caves, illustrated by a map, has recently been
published^ by Rev. Courtenay Moore, Rector of Mitchelstown.
Upon the occasion of our visit, an early start was made from
Fermoy,the distance to Mitchelstown being about fifteen miles.
Before arriving at the entrance to the cave, our party made a
circuit and drove a short distance up one of the gorges on the
southern slope of the Galtees. This fine mountain-range
rising to a height of 3,000 feet, is, like most of the ranges of
southern Ireland which run from east to west, composed of
sandstones, grits, and conglomerates, ascribed to the Old Red
or basement- Carboniferous formation, and thrown into an
anticlinal fold. The synclinal areas between the ranges are
outcrops of the Carboniferous I^imestone, and it is on the face
of a hill of this rock, opposite the Galtees, at a few miles'
distance, and about 400 feet above sea-level, that the entrance
to the cave is situated. The excavation of such caves in lime-
stone through the chemical action of gases dissolved in subter-
ranean streams, and their subsequent adornment with stalactites
and stalagmites by the deposition of salts held in solution by
\/ourn. Cork Hist, Arch> Soc. vol. iii., 1894, pp. 1-5.
A
26 The Irish Naturalist.
waters percolating through the rock, are sufficiently familiar.
The Mitchelstown Cave will not disappoint either geologist or
artist in search of interesting or beautiful forms among its
arches, pendants, and columns.
To the zoologists of our party, however, the interest of the
place centred in the fact of its being the only cave in the British
Isles known to be inhabited by a member of the peculiar blind,
subterranean fauna, which, through explorations of the
European and North American caverns, now includes some
hundreds of species. In 1857, I^i"- H. Perceval Wright and
the late Mr. A. H. Haliday discovered here a minute insect of
the order Collembola, which they described in a paper read
before the British Association meeting at Dublin that year,'
and identified doubtfully with Lipura stilicidii, Schiodte, in-
habiting the Aldesberg grotto, Carniola. To re-find this species
was therefore our object, and we hoped also that the discovery
of some other inhabitants of the place might reward our
searchr
The hill in which the cave is situated forms part of a small
farm, the occupiers of which are well acquainted with the
passages, and act as guides. After an informal luncheon on
the roadside, our part}^, provided with candles, descended the
sloping passage, and ladder which lead to the depths below.
The time at our disposal was only two hours — far too short to
explore all the galleries and chambers — and we did not reach
the underground river, in which Dr. Wright and Mr. Haliday
sought vainly for blind crustaceans. The rate of progress was
necessarily slow, so that we were able to examine the floor
and sides of the passages with some thoroughness, in our
search for insects. At no great distance from the entrance, I
was delighted to find three small pale spiders (a male and two
females) crawling over one of the large blocks of rock on the
floor. I recognised them as belonging to the genus Porrho?nina,
and hoped the}^ might prove to be referable to F. viyops, Simon,
described from a cave in southern France, and with only the
female known. Subsequent examination proved this hope
well-founded. Collecting underground was somewhat difficult,
the necessity for carrying a candle seriously reducing the
number of fingers available for seizing and bottling specimens.
Under these conditions we willingly came to each other's help
W<2/. Hist, Rev.t vol, iv,, 1857, Proc. pp. 231-241, pi. xviii.
Animals fou?id in the Mitchelstown Cave* 27
in the matter of showing a light. My friends and colleagues,
Messrs. A. R. Nichols and J. N. Halbert, were indefatigable in
searching during the whole time of our stay below-ground,
and their efforts were heartily seconded by several of the Cork
members, and Mr. F. Neale from Limerick. Mr. Nichols took
the single specimen of the interesting species of mite, Gama-
sus attenuat2is, described below ; while it was Mr. Halbert
who, in one of the large chambers at a distance from the
entrance, found the first specimen of the Lipura discovered
by Messrs. Wright and Haliday. A fair number of examples
of this insect were secured. They occurred, mostly beneath
stones, among the very fine, moist red clay which, in many
places, carpets the floor of the chambers. OwXy a minority of
the specimens proved to be adult — a similar experience to that
of Dr. Wright. In the farthest chamber w^hich we reached,
much amusement was caused by the discover}^ of an animal
which was clearly not a member of the cave fauna, but, like
ourselves, a visitor from the outer world. This was a common
Frog, whose sojourn in darkness was brought to a startling
end by the advent of our candle-bearing procession. On the
way back, I was so fortunate as to find beneath a stone a fully-
grown specimen of another blind Collembolan, readily differen-
tiated from the Lipura by the possession of a well-developed
*' spring." Subsequent examination revealed the presence of
one or two young individuals of the same species among the
specimens oi Lipura which had been collected. This **spring-
tail"' is perhaps the most interesting animal which we found.
It belongs to the genus Sinella, Brooks,^ though it is hard to
find any good character by which to separate it from Degeeria
caverna?2wi, Packard, described from specimens taken in
various caves in the United States. The latter species, how-
ever, according to Packard, has, on the feet, distinct clubbed
(tenent) hairs which are never present in Sinella; so I feel com-
pelled to describe the Mitchelstown insect as new to science.
' In the preliminary report of the expedition (/rw/i NaL, 1894, p. 183),
this insect was wrongly recorded as Te/iipL'tonia crystallina, Miill. I was led
into this error, on a hurried examination, by the white colour and ringed
terminal joint of the antenna. Subsequent study showed an entire
absence of scales, effectually removing the insect from Templetonia. —
* /ourn. Limi. Soc. (Zoo/.), vol, xvi., 1883, p. 541.
A 2
28 . The Irish Naluralisi,
Near the entrance we found two or three earthworms, one of
which I have sent to the Rev. H. Friend, who pronounces it
to be Allurus JIaviis, a form described bj^ himself and not
hitherto recorded from Ireland. He has kindly furnished a
short account of this worm, which will be found at the end of
the present paper (p. 35).
I now proceed to describe in detail the four other animals
which we found.
ARACHNIDA.
ARANEIDA.
THEKIDIIDAi.
Porrhomma myops, Simon.
(Plate 2, figs. 1-3.)
This species was described by M. Simon* from a female taken in the
cavern of Espezel, Department Aude, in southern France Another
female has since been found in Dorsetshire by Rev. O. P. Cambridge
(probably in some underground locality), and this specimen has recently
been recorded and (in part) figured by Rev. F. O. P. Cambridge.- One of
my females hasbeen compared by Rev. O. P. Cambridge with his specimen
(which was named by M. Simon), and he kindly informs me that he
cannot differentiate them. It is possible, in this genus, that two indis-
tinguishable females might have to be referred to distinct species, were
their males known. I think it better, however, to consider the spider
from Mitchelstown as P. myops until a male shall have been discovered in
the French cave, and shown to be distinct from that now described.
Length of male, 2 mm. ; of female, 2.5 mm.
Cephalothorax and falces, pale orange ; head-portion high and convex,
specially in the male, clothed with rows of hairs, which are longer in the
male (fig. i).
Eyes very small ; hind-centrals two diameters apart, fore-centrals
nearly in contact ; laterals in contact, four or five diameters from centrals.
In my male the centrals are almost obsolete. Clypeus twice the width of
ocular area (fig. 2).
Palpal organ of male with strong rounded prominence beneath falci-
form process (more marked than in the nearly allied species P. egeria^
Simon); apex of bulb regularly conical, somewhatblunt (obliquely conical
and sharp in P. egeria), with two strong curved spines (one bent in form
of S, not present in P. egeria) (fig. i).
Legs very pale straw colour, long and slender; metatarsi without
spines. Femur of first pair with one dorsal spine about the middle, and
one lateral towards the apex. Femur of second pair with one dorsal
spine (female) ; without any spine (male). The femora of the male,
specially the first pair, longer and more slender than those of the female.
^ Les Arachnides de France, vol. v., p. 358. Paris, 1884.
2 Ann' Mag, Nat. Hist. (6), vol. xiii., 1894, pp. 100, I07, pi. ii., fig. 6.
Afiijnals found in the Mitchehtoivn Cave. 29
Abdomen very pale greenish. Epigyue of female with large cavity,
front margin rounded, hind margin straight, with small central pro-
minence (fig. 3).
M. Simon describes thirteen species of this genus, of which no less than
five are inhabitants of caves, while most of the others are found under
stones and in similar concealed situations. A colony of a British species,
P. micropthhahman, Cb., was found in i860, by Dr. Meade, ^ established at
the bottom of a Durham coalpit. Quite recently, ^ Rev. F. O. P. Cam-
bridge has recorded P. egeria from the Somerset cavern known as Wookey
Hole, and remarks that sometimes the hinder, sometimes the front pair
of central eyes, are aborted. P. egeria has, however, been taken in
numbers near Edinburgh, ^ running on railings in sunshine, and thus
appears to live indifferently above or underground. P. myops, on the
other hand, seems a true subterranean species. It is very nearly allied to
P, egeria, but may be distinguished by the characters of the male palp,
given above. Moreover, P. egeria has three spines on the first, and two on
the second femur. It is also a somewhat larger spider than P. niyops, and
decidedly less pale and washed out in appearance. Even the specimens
from Wookey Hole (a pair of which Mr. F. Cambridge has generously
sent me for comparison) do not show the sickly aspect which charac-
terises P, 7nyops from the Mitchelstown cavern.
The excessively small eyes of this spider, and their tendency to become
altogether obsolete, are in accordance with the subterranean dwelling
place. The small size of the eyes is, however, characteristic of the entire
genus, even for those species which live in the open air.
It is remarkable that the underground species oiPorrhomnia are omitted
from the list of European cave animals given in Prof. Packard's exhaus-
tive memoir upon the cave-fauna of North America.* There is, however,
a spider described (by Mr. J. H. Emerton) in that memoir under the
name of Linyphia incerta, which certainly belongs to the genus PorrhommUy
and is, I believe, identical with our Mitchelstown P. jnyops. Mr. Emer-
ton's figures of the male palpal organs of his species show the regular
conical apex of the bulb and the two curved apical spines which charac-
teirise those organs in P. myops. If a comparison of types should justify
this opinion, Mr. Emerton's name, having been first published in 1875,^
will take priority of M. Simon's, and our species will have to be known as
Porrhomma ijtcerta. This North American -spider — which, at any rate, is
extremely near the Mitchelstown species — has occurred in the Fountain
Cave, V'irginia, and in the Bat Cave, Kentucky. Mr. Emerton states that
in different individuals a variable number of the central eyes may be
wanting.
1 Zoologist, i860.
2 Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), vol. xv., 1895, p. 36, pi. iv., fig. 13.
2 Proc. R. Phys. Soc. Edin., 1894, p. 560.
* Mem. Nat. Acad. Set. (Washington), vol. iv., 1888.
^ Amer. Nat., vol. ix.
JO- •' The Irish Naturalist,
. AGARINA.
GAMASIDJE.
Camasus attenuatus (Koch), Berlese.
(Plate 2, figs. 4-9.)
My best thanks are due to Mr. A. D. Michael, F.LS., for kindly
suggesting, from my rough sketches, this identification. He states the
species to be not uncommon in England among dead leaves, &c.
Length, 1*3 mm. Pale fawn colour. Body elongated. Epistome (fig. 6)
terminating with three points, of which the central is the longest. Man-
dibles (fig. 7) with evenly rounded fingers, the upper with a tooth near
apex. Second pair of legs (fig. 5) greatly thickened, third joint with a
long, curved blunt tooth beneath at base, and a shorter bifid process ;
fourth and fifth joints with short, blunt processes at apex; sixth joint
without any process.
This mite is closely allied to G. magnus, Kramer^ with which the form
of the epistome agrees almost exactly. It differs from that species
however in the even shape of the mandibles, which have no projection
above. From G. subkrrauens, Kramer-, it may be distinguished by the
sides of the epistome being straight, not convex, as well as by the
armature of the second pair of legs. In this last character, as well as in
general aspect, our species agrees nearly with a Carniolan cave species,
G. niveus, WankeP, but in that form the epistome is figured as ending in
a single pointed process.
All the Gamasidae are blind; several species are known from caves,
and many live in concealment beneath stones, dead leaves, &c.
INSECTA,
COLIvEMBOLA.
ENTOMOBR YIDyE.
SInella cavernicola, sp. nov.
(PI. 2, figs. 11-16.)
Length of head and body, 2-5 mm. White. Eyes wanting. Antennae
nearly twice as long as head ; terminal joint the longest, slender, ringe
with clubbed hairs (fig. 12). Tarsal joints without tenent hairs, large
claw of first pair of feet with small tooth (fig. 13a), others without
distinct tooth (fig. 13). Fourth abdominal segment hardly as long as the
three preceding. Spring two-thirds as long as body ; terminal claws
evenly curved, with a small tooth as in S- curviseia, Brook, No clubbed
hairs on thorax, but a large number of short ones on hindmost abdominal
segments and on spring.
The genus {Sinclla) to which this species evidently belongs, is distin-
guished from Isotovia by the possession of clubbed hairs, from Enlomobrya
{Degeeria) by the absence of tenent hairs on the feet. It is very vsimilar to
* Arch, fur Nattirgeschichte, xlii., 1876, p. 91. pi. iv., fig. 9, pi. v., ff. 14,33.
2 T. c, p. 92, pi. v., fig. 24.
^ Siiz. Kaiserl. Akad. IVini, {Mat. -Aat, -Class), vol. xliii., 1S61, p. 262, pi.
iv., fF. 8-10.
Animals fozmd in the Mitchehtowji Cave. 31
the tj'pe species .S". airviseta, Brook, but may be readily distinguished by
the absence of eyes, of teeth to the hinder foot-claws, and of long clubbed
ciliated thoracic hairs ; and by the possession of distinct rings of hairs on
the terminal joint of the antennae. There are some long tapering
finely-ciliated hairs (fig. 15) on the second and third abdominal segments.
As in S. airviseta, there are a pair of long ciliated sheath-hairs at the apex
of the spring (fig. 14).
Simlla cu7-viseta has occurred both in the north and south of England,
as well as on the Continent, but I do not think it has yet been recognised
in Ireland. The presence of a cave-species so nearly related makes it
likely that this or another open-air insect of the genus will be found here
too.
For a long time I was disposed to consider S, cavernicola identical with
Degeeria cavernay-wn, Packard ; but the presence of a tenent hair on the
feet in that species obliges us to consider it a true Entotnobrya. It is hard
to find any other distinction which warrants the separation of our insect
from the North American spring-tail.
LIPURID^,
Lipura Wrightll, sp. nov.
(Z. stiliddii, Wright and Haliday).
(Plate 2, fig. 10.)
Length 2 mm. White. Antennae as long as head; terminal joint
the longest, conical. No ocelli or post-antennal organ. Head longer
thai: broad, with hind-margin sinuate. PronotuLn with a constriction
on either side. Legs moderately long and stout. No anal spines.
When recording the capture of this insect, and describing its
structure, in Dr. Wright's paper already mentioned, the late Mr. A. H.
Haliday referred it with doubt to Schiodte's species, and pointed out
various particulars in which it differs from that form. The most striking
of these is the entire absence, in the Mitchelstown insect, of the ocelli
(according to Tullbergand Sir J. Lubbock, really the post-antennal organ),
of which Mr. Haliday could find no trace. After so accurate an observer,
it is needless to say that I have also failed to find the organ. The legs
and antennae of our species, moreover, are not relatively so long and
slender as those of L, stiliddii. I am quite inclined to agree with Mr.
Haliday's suggestion that Schiodte was^mistaken in figuring all the
thoracic segments in his form as divided into an anterior and a posterior
part by a transverse constriction. When one is examining specimens
by transmitted light, the lateral extensions of the thorax which bear
the legs are readily to be mistaken for dorsal segments. There is on
either side of the pronotum a constriction running in for a very short
distance. This is shown in Haliday's figure, which represents the side
view of the insect. I have drawn the dorsal aspect, which will enable
comparison to be made with Schiodte's figure copied by Haliday. The
Mitchelstown species in the length of antennae and legs seems to be
intermediate between Lipira stiliddii and L. fimetaria, Lubb. — another
white species common in damp mould. While not so slender as those of
3^ The Irish Naturalist,
the former, the appendages of Z. Wrightii are not so short and stumpy
as those of the latter, which, however, our species resembles much in
general structure, and in the absence of anal spines. It seems probable
that it may be really an offshoot of L. fimetaria, modified for cave-life,
the lengthening of antennae being a common occurrence in subterranean
insects. These considerations have induced me to give the insect a new
name, and none could be more suitable than that of the naturalist whose
earliest paper announced its discovery, and who has since done so much
to advance the knowledge of Irish Natural History.
Reviewing these animals, we notice that (except the mite)
they all present the characters of true troglodytes. All
are more or less bleached, the two insects being perfectly
white. The two insects are totally blind (the mite, of course,
cannot be reckoned, as it belongs to a blind family), and the
spider is clearly in process of becoming so. The peculiar
modifications which cave animals have undergone have been
variously explained, and have been much used by recent
writers in discussions upon the factors of evolution. The
bleaching and loss of eye-sight which these creatures exhibit
are by some attributed solely to their life in total darkness, b}^
others to the action of natural selection with regard to some
portions of their organization and its necessary cessation
(panmixia) with regard to others, in the new surroundings.
No naturalist doubts that these cave-dwellers are the modi-
fied descendants of inhabitants of the upper air, which were
provided with eyes, and coloured after the usual manner of
their genus. There can be no doubt that the production of
pigment is largely dependent upon the presence of light, and
it seems very likely that a life in darkness is alone sufficient
to account for the bleaching characteristic of cave-dwellers.
Instances are given by Professor Packard of individuals belong-
ing to the open-air fauna being quite bleached when found in
caves, the loss of colour having here occurred during the life-
time of the individual. On the other hand, colour must be
absolutely useless to dwellers in total darkness, to conceal
them either from enemies or prey, and would therefore tend to
disappear through the cessation of selection of individuals
coloured in any particular way. Similarly, the loss of eyes
may be attributed either directly to disuse through a life in
darkness, or to the cessation of selection with regard to those
organs, since they can be no longer of use to their possessors.
Professor Ray Lankester has suggested that animals with
A7ii7nals found in the Mitchehtown Cave. 33
defective vision would become segregated in caves, since those
with the best eyesight, when carried in, would be most easily
able to find their way back to daylight. There is another
factor to be taken into account, that known as "economy of
nutrition." There is a general tendency among cave-animals
to a decrease in size, and their food supply is undoubtedly very
limited. Hence, to get rid of any useless organ would seem
to be of considerable benefit ; and this last factor would be
more likely to produce some effect among cave-dwellers than
among species living in the open air.
A word as to the nourishment of these cave animals may be
of interest. Springtails live on vegetable refuse. The food
canal of every specimen of the Lipura which we collected
was filled with the fine red earth already mentioned as lining
the bottom of the cave. The species of Lipura are generally
found in damp mould, &c., and with this their intestines are
filled ; it appears therefore that they obtain their nutriment
from the vegetable substances contained in the mould. But
one would think that the amount of organic matter in the red
earth of the cave must be excessively small. No doubt it is,
but fragments of wood, &c., must be often carried in by water,
while some of the lower fungi find in the caverns a congenial
home. From the disintegration of these, diffused through
the earth, the insects have to win their precarious livelihood.
Dr. K. Perceval Wright has kindly told me that collectors in
the Carniolan caves secure insects b}^ leaving pieces of wood
as traps. The creatures must gladly leave their precarious
nourishment for the opportunity of such a feast. The spiders,
of course, live by prey, though it seems they can have but
little to ensnare. The habit of the family to which Porrhomma
wjj/^/5 belongs isto spin aweb of irregular, intercrossing threads.
If the cave-dwelling spider has maintained this habit, it
probably lives on insects which stray into its dark abode from
the outer world. But the fact that the specimens taken were
found walking on the rocks rather suggests that they hunt for
the cave-insects. Gamasid mites are stated by Mr. A. D.
Michaer to devour Lipuridae, so Gamasiis attemiatus must find
suitable food in the Mitchelstown cave.
The apparent geographical distribution of the animals
demands a short consideration. The Lipura is hardly to be
'^J'otirn, Linn, Soc. {Zool^ vol. xv,, 1881.
A3
34 Thi Irish Naturalist.
separated from a species found in the caves of Carniola, and
the Sinella is almost identical with one inhabiting the caves
of North America ; while the spider is apparently the same as
a cave-dweller from the Mediterranean district of southern
France, which probably occurs in the North American caverns
also. Had we to do with animals of the upper fauna, these
results, though highly interesting, would not be without
parallel in species alread}^ known. The identity of certain
Irish animals and plants with south European (Pyrenean and
Mediterranean) forms has long been one of the most marked
peculiarities of our fauna and flora ; while we possess at least
a few North American plants found nowhere else in Europe.
But the occurrence of cave-dwelling species with so wide a
range is a truly remarkable phenomenon. The caves cannot
be of any great geological age. Any possible geographical
connection which would permit the migration of subterranean
animals between southern Europe and Ireland, or between
Ireland and North America seems altogether out of the
question within any period- during which the fauna can have
been .specifically identical with that of the present da}^ The
onl}" conclusion is that from ancestors, presumably of the
same genus, which took to an underground life in such
widelj^-separated localities, the similar conditions of the caves
have evolved descendants so similar that when compared,
they cannot or can hardly be specifically distinguished from
each other. Should the identifications suggested in this
paper stand the test of a comparison of t3'pes, we shall have
proof that the independent development of the same species,
under similar conditions, but in widely distant localities, has
taken place. It must be granted, however, that cave-con-
ditions are so marked and exceptional, that it might not be
safe to argue from them as to what may have occurred in the
upper world.
With the exception of Mr. F. Cambridge's record of
Porrhomina egcria from the Wookey Hole, I am not aware
of the observation of members of the subterranean fauna in
an}^ British cave except Mitchelstown. It seems almost
certain that a careful search would reveal further localities
and new species. The great development of the Carboni-
ferous I,imestone area in Ireland, and the number of caverns
known to exist in the formation, marks the country out as
Animals foimd i?i the Mitchelstowji Cave. 35
a speciall}^ fruitful field for a research into cave-life. If a
couple of hours' collecting in one cave has yielded such
interesting results, what may we not expect when w^e have
adequately searched all the underground chambers which the
streams of ages have hollowed out in the limestone of our
great central plain ?
EXPI^ANATIOM OF Pi, ATE 2.
Fig. I. Porrlwtnma myops, Sim., - Male, side view, legs removed.
„ 2. do. - - do., front view, showing eyes and
falces.
,, 3. do. - - Female, epigyne.
4. Gamasics atteniiatus^ Koch, - Male, dorsal view.
5- do. - - do., ventral view, with leg of 2nd
pair.
6. do. - - do., epistome.
7. do. - - do., mandible.
8. do. - - do., foot of leg of 2nd pair.
9. do. - - do., „ ,, 3rd „
10. Lipura Wrighiii, sp.n., - Dorsal view.
11. Sinella cavernioia, s-^Ai., - Side view.
12. do. - - Portion of terminal joint of antenna.
13. do. - - Foot of 3rd pair of legs.
13A. do. - - ,, 1st pair of legs.
14. do. - - Apex of spring.
15. do. - - CiHated hair from 3rd abdominal
segment.
16. do. - - Ciliated hair from spring.
)>
J)
A NEW I^ORM OF IRISH EARTHWORM.
BY RKV. HII^DERIC FRIEND, F.I,.S.
Through the kindness of Mr. Carpenter I have received a
specimen of an earthAvorm which has not hitherto, I believe,
been recorded for Ireland. It was found in Mitchelstown
Cave, Co. Tipperar>% and being a perfectly developed adult
form was readily identified. It is the golden AUurus, Allu7us
flavus, Friend {Natziralist, Jan., 1893, p. 20), and is worthy of
a brief notice. I first found this worm in the river Calder a
couple of miles from Carlisle, Cumberland, where its colour
was a rich orange yellow. It was abundant, and had the
girdle extending over segments 22-27, while segments 23, 24,
25 bore the clitellar papillae. I^ater on I found a solitary
specimen in a little stream near Apperley (Calverley Woods),
36 The Irish Naturalist.
in Yorkshire. When preser^^ed in alcohol this specimen from
segments 14 to 16 was darker in colour than the rest of the
worm, which on dissection proved to be the result of a
mixture of quartz granules and vegetable matter intermixed
in the intestines, and showing through the semitransparent
bod5\ I found an opening in the middle of segment 10 with a
pair of penial setae, which differ widelj^ from those which are
arranged in pairs on each segment of the ho^y. In other
particulars it differed considerably from the type, and though
it is difficult to specify any characters which entitle it to
rank at present as a distinct species, it is undoubtedly a
distinct form or variety. Kisen found specimens which he
named var. hdcics, but from his brief description this differed
from the present form. We do not yet know enough of the
habits, habitats, structure and distribution of this interesting
genus to determine the number of species which exist, as ever}^
writer finds some particular in which the specimens examined
by him differ from the descriptions of others. Rosa's
" Revisione dei I/Umbricidi " (Torino, 1893) contains (pp.71
seq.) one of the latest summaries, but A. jflavus, Fr., is not
included. The following are the external characters of the
Mitchelstown Cave specimen, and to this account I shall be
glad to add a further diagnosis if further specimens can be
obtained for dissection and microscopic examination.
Allurus flavus, Friend.
Found at Mitchelstown Cave, July, 1894. Length in alcohol i incli,
total number of segments 80, yellow in colour. Girdle extending from
segment 22 to 26, with papillae on one side only of segments 28, 29. On the
under side of the girdle the clitellar band extends over segments 23, 24,
25 on either side. Perhaps to be regarded as only a well-marked variety
of ^. tdraedrus, Sav., the variation being due to some peculiarity" of soil
or habitat yet to be determined.
[ Zl ]
the: distribution of thk charack^
in irki.and,
BY H, AND J. GROViJS, F.I<.S.
{concluded from page U.)
130. Gal way, B.,
133. Westmeath,
Chara tomentosa, I^.
R. Shannon, below Portumna, 1843. ^' Moore.
Belvidere Lake (L. Ennel), 1841, D. Moore. Coosan
Ivough, J 886, R. P. Vowell. L. Derevaragh
and I/. Owel, 1892, H. C. Levinge and H. and
J.G.
This is perhaps the most interesting and characteristic of all the Irish
Characece, and in the British Isles is apparently confined to Ireland.*
All the localities cited above belong to the Shannon drainage, although
L- Owel is now used as a reservoir for the Royal Canal. The small
form with most of the joints of the branchlets uncoated and much
vSwoUen, which was first discovered by Dr. D. Moore, and figured by
Hooker as C. latifolia, Willd., is that occurring in rather shallow water
with a comparatively hard bottom, but the large well developed form
three or four feet high is plentiful in the deeper muddy bays of several
of the lakes. We found a very curious slender form in L. Owel.
C. to?nentosa is recorded from Sweden, Denmark, Germany (in many
places), France (Normandy) Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, Russia, Persia
and Algiers.
113. Kerry, S.,
114- .> N.,
121. Queen's Co.,
123. Wicklow,
124. Kildare, -
125. Dublin, -
127. Louth, -
128. Limerick,
129. Clare,
130. Gal way, E.,
133. Westmeath,
135. Gal way, W.,
138. Sligo, -
140. Roscommon,
145. Armagh,
147. Down,
149. Londonderry,
C. hisplda, L.
- Killarney, 1887. R. W. Scully.
- Near Ventry, 1894. D. M'Ardle.
- Near Farmhill, 1890, R. W. Scully.
- Murrough of Wicklow, 1877. D. M'Ardle.
- Below Athy, 1890. R. W. Scully.
- Raheny, 1893. R. LI. Praeger.
- Dundalk, 1883. J. F. Crofts.
- Near Foynes, 1884. S. A. Stewart.
- Near Ennis, 1884. S. A. Stewart.
- L. Derg, 1881. Bolton King.
- Belvidere L. D. Moore.
- Roundstone, 1868. C. Bailey.
- Coolgagh L.ri883. S. A. Stewart
- L. Ree, 1886. R. M. Barrington.
- Near Grange, 1892. R. LI. Praeger.
- Downpatrick, 1891. R. IJ. Praeger.
• R. Bann, Coleraine. D. Moore.
*A curious sterile plant collected in Norfolk, in 1881, by Mr. Arthur
Bennett, was referred by Dr. Nordstedt to this species and, at the time,
we concurred in this view. It has not so far as we know been collected
since, but in the same locality we have found some intermediate plants,
which we think may be hybrids, and which in some characters approach
closely to Mr. Bennett's specimen though they do not look so much like
C. tomentosa. We are, therefore, inclined to doubt whether we were right
in recording the Norfolk locality for the species.
A4
38
The Irish Naturalist.
123. Wicklow,
125. Dublin, -
C. hispida, var. macracantha, Braun.
- Hb. Moore.
- Maynooth, 1890. D. M'Ardle
125. Dublin, -
130. Gal way, E.,
^ZZ' Westmeath,
135. Galway, W.,
140. Roscommon,
145. Armagh, -
147. Down, -
var, rudis, Braun.
■ Roval Canal near Lucan, 1889. R. W. Scully.
• L. berg, 1S81. Bolton King.
• Brittas Lake, 1892. H. C. Levinge and H,
and J. G.
. Arranmore, 1891. S. A. Stewart.
. L. Ree, 1886. R. M. Barrington.
Quarries near Navan Fort, 1892. R. LI. Praeger.
. Loughinisland, 1887. S. A. Stewart.
C hispida is a common European species, but outside Europe it has
only been recorded from Tunis and Siberia. The var. rudis is a very
well-marked plant and is more entitled to notice than most of the named
forms ; indeed it has sometimes been regarded as a separate species.
It is much commoner in Ireland and Scotland than in England.
113. Kerry, S.,
114. „ N.,
T2I. Queen's Co.,
123. Wicklow,
124. Kildare, -
125. Dublin, -
126. Meath, -
128. Limerick,
129. Clare,
133. Westmeath,
135. Galway, W.,
138. Sligo, .
145. Armagh, -
147. Down,
149. Londonderry,
var.
114. Kerry, N.,
116. Cork, N.,
123. Wicklow,
125. Dublin, -
127. Louth, -
130. Galway, E.,
138. Sligo,
147. Down,
148. Antrim, •
113. Kerry, S.,
121. Queen's Co.,
133. Westmeath,
or
140. Roscommon,
C. vulgaris though
from the number of
England. It seems
C. vulgaris, L
- Caragh, 1888. R. W. Scully.
- Castle Gregory. Hb. Moore,
. Near Farmhill, 1890. R. W. Scully.
- Near Bray, 1866. R. M. Barrington.
. Near Athy, 1890. R. W. Scully.
. Sutton, 1871. W. T. T. Dyer.
- Navan, 1879. C. Bailey.
- Rinekirk, 1885. S. A. Stewart.
- Bally vaughan, 1885. R. P. Murray.
- Near Belvidere Lake, 187 1 W. T, T. Dyer.
- Kilronan, Aran, 1890, J, E. Nowers,
- Bartragh I., near Moyview, 1870, A. G, More.
- Bird Island, 1882. H, V/. Lett,
- Loughinisland Lake, 1887. S. A, Stewart.
- Magilligan, 1892, M, J. Leebody,
longibracteata, Kuetz.
- Blennerville, 1888. R. W. Scully.
- Middleton, 1872. T. Allin.
- Base of Sugar Loaf Mtn,, 1894. R. lyl.Praeger.
- Swords, 1848, D, Moore,
- Dundalk, 1883. J. F. Crofts.
- L. Derg, 1881. Bolton King.
- Glencar Lake, 1884. R. M, Barrington.
- Near Belfast, 1886. S. A. Stewart,
- Springfield, 1857. W. M. Hind.
var. paplllata, Wallr.
- Ferry, Waterv-ille, 1889. R. W. Scully.
- Near Farmhill, 1890. R. W. Scully.
Lough Ree, 1886. R. M. Barrington.
a fairly common species in Ireland is not, judging
specimens we have received, so abundant as it is in
to be a common plant almost throughout the world.
The Distribution of the Characece hi Ireland* 39
C. canescens* Ivoisel.
114. Kerry, N., - - Castle Gregory Lake, 1894. R. W. Scully.
A very interesting addition to the Flora of Ireland The plant from
Co. Cork (Shanagarry Bog), circulated by Mr. Carroll as C. crinita, is
C. polyacantha. C. canescens is recorded from various parts of Europe, North
Africa, temperate Asia, and North America. In Britain it has only been
found in Dorset and Cornwall.
Tolypella grioinerata, Leonh.
124. Kildare, - - - Maynooth, 1894. R. LI. Praeger.
125. Dublin, - • - Canal, near Glasnevin, 1857. D. Moore.
133. Westmeath, - - L- Bnnel, 1892. H. and J. G.
138. Sligo, - - - Glencar Lake, 1884. R. M. Barrington.
139 Leitrim, • - - Glenade Lake, 1884. R. M Bariington.
T, glomerata is widely distributed in Europe, and occurs also in Algiers,
Persia, India, Tasmania, and North America. Wei think it will probably
be foundin many other localities in Irelandjbeingoften a very inconspicuous
plant.
{Tolypella nidifica, Leonh. Braun, in ''Fragmente einer Monographic
der Characeen," p. 94, describes the plant collected in Lough Neagh, near
Langford Lodge, by Dr. Moore in 1840, as the var. intervudia of this
species ; but this appears to need confirmation ]
T. prollfcra, Leonh.
125. Dublin, - - - Canal near Glasnevin. D. Moore.
Dr. Moore's specimen is the only one we have seen from Ireland.
T. prolifera is recorded from a few scattered localities in Central and
Southern Europe and in North and South America. In Britain it is
apparently confined to a few counties in the East of England.
T. Intrlcata, Leonh.
125. Dublin, - - - Glasnevin. D. Moore.
T. intricata occurs in many localities in Central Europe, from Sweden to
N. Italy, in Algiers and in Canada. It has been found in the eastern
counties of England from Durham southwards.
Nitella Nordstedtiana, H. and J. Groves.
113. Kerry, S., - - Caragh Lake, 1889. R. W. Scully.
Killarney, Lower Lake, Muckross Shore, 1890.
Near Swallow Island, 1892. R. W. Scully.
This species is recorded from Finland, Sweden, Germany, France,
Spain, and Italy, and from North America and Australia. In Britain it
has only been found in the Outer Hebrides. The Caragh Lake plant is
larger and laxer than that from Scotland, and we referred it in the first
instance to N. gracilis.
46 ' The Irish Naturalist,
N. tenulssltna, Kuetz.
130. Gal way, E., - - Near Ballindooley, 1892. H. and J. G.
I33. Westmeath, - - Scraw Bog near L. Owel, 1892. H. C.
Levinge, and H. and J. G.
This occurs in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America.
In Britain it has only been found in the widely separated counties of
Cambridgeshire and Anglesey. It occurs in peat-pits and dikes, but on
account of its dark colour and slender stem is often very inconspicuous.
As we found it in the only two sets of peat-pits which we had the
opportunity of examining during our short visit to Ireland, and as the
country abounds in similar habitats, we have no doubt it will be found
to be much more generally distributed.
N. srracllls, Ag.
123. Wicklow, - - L. Luggela and L. Dan, 1892. R. M. Bar-
rington and H. and J. G.
125. Dublin, - - Near Ballybetagh, Glencullen, 1872. D. Orr.
The Luggela plant is a remarkably fine form with very longbranchlets.
N. gracilis is found nearly throughout Europe, in Asia, Africa, and North
and South America.
. N. translucens, Ag.
113. Kerry, S., - - L. Caragh, 1876. A. G. More.
114. Kerry, N,, - - Mannabone Mtns. D. M'Ardle.
135. Galway, W., - - Clifden, 1869. A. G. More.
145. Armagh,- - - Cashel L., 1892. R, LI. Praeger.
147. Down, - - - Derry L., 1887. R. LI. Praeger.
148. Antrim, - - - Lissanorn Castle. D. Moore.
149 Londonderry, - - Kilrea, 1836. D. Moore.
N. trattsluceiis occurs principally in Western Europe, but reaches to
Sweden in the north, and to Algiers, &c., in the south, and a variety or
sub-species is found in New Zealand. It grows usually in ponds, lakes,
and canals, but occasionally in running water.
N. flexllls, Ag.
113. Kerry, S., • - Caragh Lake and L. Acoose, 1889. R. W,
Scully.
115. Cork, S.,- - - Glengarriff. I.Carroll.
J37. Mayo, E., - - Cong, 1885. E). F. and W. R. Linton.
139. Leitrim, - - - L. Allen, 1883. S. A. Stewart.
141. Fermanagh, - - Rossford Point, 1837. W. Thompson.
148. Antrim, - - - Carnlough River, 1892. R. LI. Praeger.
Probably a commoner plant than the above list would seem to indicate,
but many specimens we have seen which may belong to this species are
sterile and we have not been able to determine them, N. flexilis is widely
distributed in Europe, and has been recorded from Siberia and North
and South America,
The Dishibuiion of CharacecB in Ireland. 41
N. opaca, Ag.
113. Kerr}', S., - - Killarney. Hb. Moore,
114. ,, N., - - Mannaboiie Mountains. D. M'Ardle.
116. Cork, N., - - Fernio}'. T. Chandlee.
117. Waterford, - - Dnngarvan, 1S82, G. Nicholson.
123. Wicklow, - - Kilmacurragli, 1884. F. W. Moore.
125. Dublin, - - - Hill of Howth, i860. D. Moore.
135 Galway, W., - - Kylemore Lake, 1870. D. IMoore.
139. Leitrim, - - - L. Boffin, 1871. W. T. T. Dyer.
141. Fermanagh, - - L. Erne, 1882. R. M. Barrington.
145. Armagh,- - - L. Neagh, near Lurgan, 1874. S. A. Stewart.
146. Donegal, - - Iv. Naminn, 1892. M. J. Leebod}'.
147. Down, - - • Clandeboye Lake, 1883. S- A. Stevrart.
148. Antrim, • - - Rathlin I. D. Moore.
149. Londonderry, - Kilrea, 1839. W. Thompson.
This is the commonest species oi Nitella in the British Isles, and is also
common nearly throughout Europe. It is recorded from Asia, N. Africa,
and North and vSouth America
[N. capiiata, Ag., which occurs in the fenland of Cambridgeshire^ and
N. syncarpa, Chev., which is common in the West of France, should be
looked for in Ireland. Both resemble slender states of N, opaca, but have
a gelatinous covering to the fruits ; and N. syncarpa is distinguished from
A', opaca and N. capitata by its simple fruit-bearing branchlets.]
THE GEOI.OGIST AT THE EUNCHEON TABLE-
BY PROFESSOR GRENVILLK A. J. COLE, M.R.I.A., F.G.S.
The Refreshment-Rooms organised by the Misses Gardiner,
in a house that actually stands upon the demesne of Trinity
College, Dublin, have long been recognised as a daily meeting-
ground for the members of the staffs of adjacent institutions.
In man}^ waj^s these rooms have played the part of the old
London coffee-houses, not to say of the ever-famous ** Mer-
maid " ; and the manuscripts and^proof-sheets of public and
scientific journals, including those of the Irish Naturalist, have
often derived an additional sparkle from the conversation
carried on around their tables. The opportunity afforded by
the reconstruction of the premises has been seized on by
several of their confirmed habitues, and a New Year's gift ot
seven ornamental tables has been the result.
Naturally, the polished tops have been made of Irish marbles
Under the care of Mr. E- S. Glanville, of Lower Erne-street,
Dublin. A scientific committee of selection visited the works.
42
The Irish Naturalist.
and the stones were chosen as if they were to ornament a
museum. While literary and antiquarian visitors cannot fail
to appreciate the artistic beauty of the slabs, naturalists will
find many points of interest, even in their minuter details.
Two of the slabs are from the lyissoughter quarry in
Connemara, and show the unique serpentinous marble in all
the perfection of its green and grey streaks and foldings. The
highly metamorphosed character of the rock is at once ap-
parent, and in one table the contortion of the bands can be
traced, while in the other a more parallel structure has been
set up by the continued deformation of the mass. The recent
paper by Messrs. Lavis and Gregory (^) on eozoonal structure
in limestones from around the vent of Vesuvius has given new
interest to these similar altered limestones of Connemara.
The green serpentine seems to result from the hydration of
bands and knots of olivine, which developed in the heart of
the Lissoughter limestone under the influence of an adjacent
igneous mass. How far the silica and magnesia required for
this change already existed in the limestone, or how far they
were transferred from the invading igneous rock, is one of the
vexed questions of contact-metamorphism. Messrs. Marr and
Harker, working on the alterations round the granite of Shap
in Westmoreland, conclude that such transference has only
gone on over distances of about g^tb of an inch ; while Messrs.
Lavis and Gregory, in their stud}^ of the blocks of Monte
Somma, above cited, are forced to believe in a more extended
process.
These two handsome green slabs have as companions two
from the red quarries of Co. Cork. These also show the
effect of earth-movements in brecciating and streaking-out
the constituents of a rock. In one, the remains of crinoid-
stems are clearl}^ visible, and fragments of yellowish coralline
limestone, probably true blocks broken by wave-action from
adjacent reefs, lie in the fine red matrix. But pressure has
already affected the whole mass, and it has begun to break up
and to flow, as it were, under metamorphic influences.
The second slab of ** Cork Red" is the tj'pical brecciated
variety, with abundant traces of crinoids, in the form of little
white circular sections, but with no good connected series of
' Trans. Ro^xl Dublin Soc, 1 894.
The Geologist at the Ltmcheon-table. 43
ossicles. Veins of calcite traverse the mass, as in the well-
known Devonian marbles of Plymouth, and more delicate
thread-like veins, filled with a deep red material, run in the
direction of the general movement of the breccia.
The other three tables illustrate the fossiliferous Carboni-
ferous marbles of this country. One is a little known and
beautiful variety of " grey fossil" limestone, consisting almost
entirely of fragments of crinoid stems. One or two small
pieces of coral alone break the uniformit}- of the great area of
encrinites ; these sea-lilies must have here grown as a veritable
forest. Iron oxides have delicatel}^ infilled the hollows of
the stems, and have even stained with tender browns and
pinks the whole substance of some of the ossicles. This
remarkable stone has been quarried in the neighbourhood of
Lough Erne.
Another slab comes from the famous quarries of black
marble near Galway city. It has been chosen on account of
its strong contrasts of effect, the fossils being grouped in it
with a certain daring picturesqueness. From one angle, a
great branching mass of the tubular coral called Syri7igopora
spreads across the stone for a distance of some 25 cm. At the
opposite angle is a vertical section of a valve of the brachiopod
Prodtictus, while in between is a section showing the two
valves as circles lying one within the other. The smaller
valve, being concave, is thus often traversed by sections which
also cut across the larger and convex valve.
Nearer to the Syringopora in this table is a bold section of
Pj'od7cctus, 10 cm. across, which largely influenced the selection
of this particular slab. A fine simple coral can be seen
growing from its exterior ; and here we at once have a picture
of the floor of the Carboniferous sea in Co. Galwaj^ with large
valves of dead brachiopods scattered upon it, their concave
sides characteristically facing downwards, like those of
lamellibranch shells on our own shores. Their upper surfaces
furnished the abundant simple corals with a fairly stable basis
of attachment, while the ramifying and more massive reef-
building forms held together and even wrapped round and
included other forms. Thus the example of Syringopora in
this table shows one or two other corals, Zaphrentis in all
probability^ entangled in its spreading meshes.
44 The Irish Naturalist.
The seventh table is also of black marble, but is relieved
more uniformly by fossil-sections. It is from the Kilkenny
quarries, the history of which is associated with that of the
energetic famil}^ of Colles. Grey sections of detached and
unbranching corals are seen everywhere, their septa being
beautifully preserved ; they probably represent Zaphrentis
rather than Cyathophylhim. One or two white remains of spiral
gastropods, probabl}- Euomphahis, also occur, with a section
of a turreted form. But the most interesting objects are the
conspicuous sections of a brachiopod, evidently a form with
external flutings, and with well-marked dental plates and a sep-
tum in the larger valve. These sections provide a pleasant
problem in reconstruction, such as will rejoice generations
of zoologists and geometricians at the luncheon-table. I
believe the shell to be a Cyrtiiia,'' many of the sections passing
horizontally across the upper part of the larger valve. We
thus have a convex and serrated line produced b}^ the section
of the outer part of the shell, with an indentation corresponding
to the external median furrow ; the internal median septum
is seen running inwards, soon dividing into two portions,
which are styled *' dental plates." These, however, are
often traversed by the section in the region of the broad
'* area," which runs from the beak to the hinge-margin
of the shell ; and hence the white line formed by each dental
plate is continued sharply awa}^ to right or left by the
straight section of the area, which closes in the front of
the shell and which unites with the edges of the serrated
part of the section. Here and there a vertical section
across the valve shows the median septum running on
below, and its two diverging portions enclosing a sort
of oval space above, the apex of which is in contact with the
beak.
The geologist, at an}' rate, will no longer feel solitary
at his luncheon -table ; but, indeed, he is never likely to sit
long alone in this favoured home of quip and countercheck,
of wise saws and modern instances.
■" Davidson, "British Fossil Brachiopoda ; Permian and Carboniferous
species," p. 68, and plate xiv., fig. 8.
[ 45 ]
INSECTS COLIvECTED IN THE FERMOY AND
BI^ACKWATER DISTRICT.
BY J. N. HAI^BBRT.
(Read before the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, November 13th, 1894.)
On the recent joint excursion of the Dublin, Cork, and
lyimerick Field Ckibs to the Fermoy and Blackwater district,
I collected insects for the Royal Irish Academy Fauna and
Flora Committee. Notwithstanding the short duration of the
trip (5th, 6th, and 7th of July last), and owing, no doubt, to
the productive localities visited, I was fortunate in taking more
than one species of interest, and in making a few additions
to our Irish records. There were in all over a hundred species
of Coleoptera and forty of Hemiptera observed, and in the
present notice it is intended to place on record the most note-
worthy of these, giving the localities and circumstances of
capture where necessar}'^, but not mentioning a large number
that are of common occurrence everywhere. I am indebted to
Dr. David Sharp, F.R.S., and E. Saunders, F.Iy.S-, for kind help
in the identification of certain critical species, and also to those
members of the different Clubs who assisted me in collecting
specimens.
Our headquarters were at Fermoy, consequently on arrival
little time was lost in the anxiety to begin work. The route
taken lay along the south banks of the Blackwater in the direc-
tion of the extensive Castle Hyde woods ; all this proved to be
admirable collecting ground. The river was first tried for
Hydradephaga, but previous experience had shown, that mid-
summer is not a good time of the year for water-beetles, when
most of them are in larval condition. Amongst my captures
were Oredochilus villostis, Mull., Deronedes depresstis, F., and
Haliplus fluviatilis, Aube., all of theiH species peculiar to clear
or running waters. The first mentioned is an insect of con-
siderable interest, closely allied to the Gyrini or ' whirligig-
beetles ' so well known to all observ^ers, but differing from these
in some essential points. Oredochilus is nocturnal, coming
out at night only and hiding during the day-time under banks
in submerged logs and such like. My specimens were obtained
by dragging the water-net about the roots of aquatic plants.
Owing to this unusual habit the beetle has probably escaped
observation in many localities. Numerous species of the
46 I he Irish Naturalist.
StaphylinidcBQiX 'rove-beetles' were common in the damp places,
amongst these was a single Actobizis proceriihis, Grav. There is
onl}^ one Irish example in the Museum collection, taken many
years ago in the Mourne Mountains, by that veteran of Irish
entomolog)', the late A. H. Halida}^ which, like many other
captures of equal interest, he seems never to have recorded.
The only other noteworth}^ representatives of this section
taken, were Homalota elongatida, Bris., evidently common, and
Tachyporus obtzisuSy var. nitidicoUis, Steph., a ver}^ well marked
melanic variet}', which would seem to almost replace the type
in Ireland, and, as we would expect, is much rarer in England
where the normal pale-coloured form predominates.
Quite a characteristic insect was Halyzia co?igIobata, ly-, a local
'lady-bird' commonly obtained off the Alder bushes growing
along the bank. In Britain it has a southern distribution, and
as regards the north it has only been found in two localities,
Belfast, and Ballj^haise, Co. Cavan, where I had the pleasure of
taking a single specimen last autumn. By sweeping plants
in a marshy place near the Castle Hyde woods, there occurred
several examples of a Galeriicella which were mistaken for the
common G. nymphace^ but which proved on subsequent ex-
amination to be referrable to the rarer G. sagittarice, Gyll., an
addition to the Irish list. The two species are closely allied,
but when typical examples are compared, side by side, the
differences are at once apparent ; in the last British catalogue
they are evidently considered to be distinct. Amongst other
captures I may mention Cyphon nitidulus, Thorns., Bruchus
atomarius, L<., Lema lichenis, Voet., Afiaspis fnactdata, Fourc,
Apion h2wmli, Germ., Sitones sidciffons, Thunb., Eyirrhinus
acridiihis, L., Rhin incus peiicarpius, I,., and R. perpendicidaris,
Reich. Mr. G. H. Carpenter found in a meadow, larvae of
the long-horned grasshopper Leptophyes piindatissima, Bosc,
which he tells me had been only previously recorded from
Howth.
The Heteroptera taken at Fermoy were not numerous ; the
large green 'shield bug' Peiitatoma p^asiyia, I^in., was the most
important, our knowledge of this species as Irish rested on
two specimens without localitj-in the collection of Mr. Haliday ;
the possession of definitely localised specimens is therefore
satisfactory. Orthotylus flaviriervis, Kb., occurred on the Alders.
Several of the members noticed the beautiful dragon-fly
Insects Collected in the Fermoy and Blackwater District, atj
Calopte7yx splendens busily ' hawking ' for prey along the river-
bank.
The following day was fixed for the visit to the renowned
Mitchelstovrn Caves, and w^as generall}^ considered Wi^ piece de
resistance of the excursion ; owing however, to a rather long
drive, the time allowed was insufiicient for a thorough investiga-
tion. The results, as can be seen in the pages of the present
number, have been worked out by Mr. G. H. Carpenter, and
the account which he furnishes of these curious cave-fre-
quenting creatures is of high scientific value. We w^ere lucky
in escaping the disappointment experienced by an observer in
England, Mr. Murray, w^ho many 3'ears ago explored the
extensive limestone caves of Derbyshire but was obliged to
report that he could find nothing blind except the allej^s ! On
the journe}^ to and from the caves onl}^ a few short interv^als
were available for collecting, when the following were taken,
chiefl}^ under stones on the low walls bordering the roads :
Calathtis cisteloides, Panz., Barynotus obscurus, F.,and Otiorrhyn-
chus ligneus, 01., the last not by any means a common species.
Many of the members were anxious to see the magnificent
pile of Mitchelstown Castle, so a brief visit w^as arranged ; the
entomologists of the party found time for a short w^alk through
the grounds, but though their beautj^ was evident, the chance
of finding rare insects was questioned. Only a few weevils
were beaten off the beech trees, i.e., Phyllobius argentatus, L.
P. oblo7ig7is, ly., 2Md. Polydrusus ptergomalis. Boh., the latter is a
very pretty species, covered with brilliant green scales ; I had
previously collected it onl}^ near Lucan, Co. Dublin.
Lismore formed a promising localit}- for the third and last
day's excursion. In order to have a longer time for collecting I
started on an early train from Fermo}^ with my friend ]\Ir.
Frank Neale, Secretary of the Limerick Club. The scenery of
the Blackwater Valley onl}^ needs mention, to recall it to those
w^ho have been fortunate enough to have spent an}^ time
investigating the beauties of the ' Irish Rhine,' more especially
in the wooded portion surrounding the far-famed Lismore
Castle, and indeed the district has many points in its favour
as a centre for general natural history observations. All the
former localities were rather unfavourable for collecting the
Carabidae or ground beetles ; but here in a half dr^^ water-
course that joins with the main river Harpalus rufibarbis, F.,
48 The Irish Nattiralist.
Amara familiaris, V>vSX..,Bembidium decorum, Vdi\\z.,B.atrocceru-
leiwiy Stepli., and B. punct2dat2Lvi, Drap., were more or less
abundant. Some damp fields near at hand next claimed
attention ; my first capture by sweeping was Hydrocyphoyi
dejlexicollis, MiilL, a rare insect in England but evidently quite
common here. I cannot find a more recent Irish record for
this species than 1857 when it was recorded by Mr. Haliday
from the river Vartry, and by Dr. Perceval Wright from the
plantations about Newcastle, Co. Down. Another interesting
find was Elmis volkmaj'i, Panz., a small insect measuring only
3 mm. in length, and the largest of the six British species.
They are all provided with very long tarsi by which they
cling to the undersides of stones, etc., and although unable to
swim like true water-beetles, they can thus retain their hold
even in the swiftest rivers. As regards the distribution of
E. volkmaii, there are some unlocalised Irish examples in Mr.
Halidaj^'s collection, probably taken in the vicinity of Lough
Neagh, and Dr. Power has recorded it from Waterford.
We next searched the north bank of the Blackwater above
the Castle ; the presence of so rich and varied a vegetation led
us to expect good results, and in this we were not dis-
appointed. Mr. Neale found a specimen of the very rare moth
Gnophria quadra clinging to the rough bark of an Oak-tree.
I was fortunate in securing two perfect specimens of the local
Leiopus ncbulos7is,\^., swept from amongst long grass ; they had
probably fallen from a neighbouring oak ; the Lo7igicor?iia are
very poorly represented in Ireland, and with few exceptions
are rare. In the hish Naturalist for September last I
recorded a weevil Orchestes ilicis, F., from lyUcan which would
seem to be the first record of the species; it also occurred
here, and will probably be met with in other wooded localities.
Many beetles are more or less peculiar to certain varieties ot
Salix, particularly if growing in a wild state ; even young
plantations will sometimes produce nice species. A small
osier-bed near the '' hanging gardens ' yielded amongst
others Do7iacia simplex, F., Galerucella lineola, F., Telepho7us
thoracicuSj 01., Stcuus tar salts, I^5^nn., and Crepidodera hclxines,
I/., etc. Of these the most notable is T. thoracicics, only pre-
viously recorded from two of the Irish Counties, Armagh and
Dublin. The T. fulvicollis mentioned in Mr. Haliday 's
Belfast list, may refer to this species, but it might equally be the
hiseds Collected in the Fernioy and Blackwater District. 49
common T./lavilabris, as that name is a synonym for both.
I find, however, that he did possess T. thoracicus, easily
recognised from its allies by the clear red scutellum. Three
species of the curious genus Cassida are represented in the
district, i.e., Cassida viridis, F., C. equestris, F., and C. flaveola^
Thunb. Other captures were Anthobiiun ophthalmicuni, Payk.,
Adalia obliterata, L., Halyzia xiv. -guttata, ly., Athous niger, ly.,
PhcEdo7i ttimidulus, Germ., Lagria hirtay I^., Apion cruentatum^
Walt., Ceuthorrhy7icJnis litzira, F., etc., and a single Ceuthor-
rynchus a?igulosus, Boh., one of our rarest British beetles ; only
a few specimens appear to have been taken in Britain, in the
Solway district and North of Kngland. Canon Fowler remarks
that it is probably attached to some Cruciferous plant ; my
specimen captured by geneial sweeping rendered it impos-
sible to tell off what plant it came. The insect both on
account of its rarity and distribution, forms an interesting
addition to our Irish records.
Some good Hemiptera were taken at I^ismore, in the Black-
water. I noticed what looked like a minute and active water-
beetle darting about amongst the stones, in the shallow water
at edge, but which proved on capture to be the seldom-taken
Sigara rnimitissima, L,in. Specimens of Pentatovia prasina, I<in.,
also occurred, and two additions to my list of Irish Hemiptera
in Orthotylus viridinerius, Kb., and Labops viutabilis, Fall.
There only remain to mention two notable insects belonging
to the Neuroptera. Calopteryx virgo, L,., was noticed, especially
about the wooded portions of the bank. This is a very brilliant
dragon-fly of a beautiful green or blue with dusky wings, which
in the male are suffused with a darker metallic colour. It bears
a strong resemblance to the species taken at Fermoy,
C. spleyidens, Harr. Curiously enough, although so closely
allied, they apparently never inhabit the same locality.
When searching for ground beetles in the bed of the stream
above mentioned, I succeeded in taking, not however without
some agility on my part, the large Stone-fly Pada maxima^
Scop. Although this fine insect is probably common, there
would seem to be a scarcity of records from Ireland, and the
genus Perla is unrepresented in the valuable list of Irish
Neuroptera published by Mr. J. J. F, X. King^ P. maxima
occurs in the river Dodder, Co. Dublin.
^ Trans. Nat. His. Soc, Glasgow, vol. ii., 1888.
^0 The Irish Naturalist,
NOTES.
BOTANY.
CHARACE^.
Chara canescens, Loisel, In Ireland. — I found this pretty
Chara growing in the lake at Castlegregory, Co. Kerry, last August.
This is a welcome addition to the range of the plant, hitherto restricted,
I believe, to two localities in the S. W. of England.
R. W. Scui,i.Y, Dublin.
PHANEROGAMS.
Wild Flowers in the Clynns of Antrim In IVI id-Winter.—
Walking and driving through the Glens near Cushendall on the i6tli and
17th of December, with some friends who were spending the week's end
there, I collected the following plants in flower. In Glencarp and north
side of Glendun the Red Campion {Lychnis diurnci) ; Dog Daisy {Matruaria
inodora) ; and Sheep's Scabious [Jasione monlana). On Tornaniorey Point,
or the old road to Torr, on a ver}- exposed bank facing east, the Bramble
{Rubles friiticosus) ; Marsh Ragweed {Senecio aquaiicus) ; Marsh Thistle
{Carduiis palustris) ; and Cat's ^2X {Hypochccris radicatd) ; on sheltered banks
and ditches all over the district, the Primrose {Primula vulgaris) w^as in
bloom, and the Gorse ( Ulex europceus') ; and I noticed a few plants of a small
Umbellifer, which I did not collect, just opening. Owing to the mildness
of the winters at Cushendall medical men in Belfast frequently send their
patients there now, and few hotels in Ireland are so beautifully sheltered
from the north and east or are such "Bomes from Home" as the
" Glens of Antrim" Hotel there. I have to thank Mr. S. A. Stewart for
verifying the plants for me.
R. Wei^ch, Belfast.
ZOOLOGY.
CRUSTACEANS.
The Freshwater Crayfish (Astacus fluviatilis) In Co.
Dublin.— On the 3otli December last, Mr. Dunlop of Lucan and his
sons pointed out to me some remarkable ponds at CoUierstown along the
banks of the Grand Canal, about nine miles from Dublin. Anyone
looking for a town there or even a village, Avill be disappointed, though
large mounds of rubbish may mark the sites of former habitations.
Anyhow zoologists and botanists will find this locality well worth a visit.
We found the large freshwater Craj'fish {Astacus fluviatilis) in abundance,
and although once before recorded from Co. Dublin, viz. : — from the
Tolka near Finglas, yet it is such ararity that it is worth calling attention
to this second locality. It had previously also been taken on the Royal
Canal at Maynooth, by the late Dr. Ball, and in several other places in
the Co. Kildare.
It is surprising that, as far as I know, no attempt has ever been made
in this country to utilize this source of wealth, as it is well known that
Crayfish are occasionally imported from abroad, in order to be ground
down for the famous " soupe d'ecrevisses," a dish greatly esteemed by
connoisseurs. The supply from the CoUierstown ponds would hardly be
large enough to start a commercial speculation, but I believe they are
more abundant in Kildare, and Messrs. Pile, Powell and Mooney assure
me that they could promote a trade for them.
R. F. SCHARFFj Dublin,
Notes, 54:
BIRDS.
Unusual retreat for Grouse. — A singular incident was recorded
to me last week by a gentleman who had been shooting during the
Christmas week, as showing the severity of the gales that recently visited
the Irish coast. He mentioned that considerable numbers of living
grouse had been seen along the sea-shore at Bally waiter and at the Warren
at Donaghadee. The inhabitants in these neighbourhoods never
remember a similar occurrence, and they think that the birds must have
come from Donegal. The lighthouse-keepers on the Copeland Islands
report the visit of strange birds not known to them as visiting the islands
previously. Perhaps someone else may have similar occurrences to
record, and, as far as I can find from inquiries, there are no grouse
within a long radius of above-mentioned places.
Arthur J. Coi,i.ins, Belfast.
PROCEKDINGS OF IRISH SOCIKTIKS.
RoYAi, Zooi<oGiCAi< Society.
Recent donations comprise a rat, from C J. Patten, Esq. ; a weaver-
bird, from Lady M'Kenna ; a Parrakeet, from Mrs. A. Hillas ; a Common
Fox, from Mr. Reed; and three Guinea Pigs, from E). M. Solomons, Esq.
• 3,870 persons visited the Gardens in December.
BeIvFast Naturai, History and Phii,osophicai, Society.
November 27TH.— An interesting illustrated lecture on "Sea Fish and
Fishing off the West of Ireland " was given by Rev. W. S. Green, M.A.,
F.R.G.S., H.M. Inspector of Fisheries. The President (Mr. ROBERT
IvIvOYD Patterson, J. P., F.Iv.S.) occupied the chair.
Mr. Green proceeded wnth his lecture, which he prefaced by
throwing on the screen a map of the British Isles, showing the depths
of the sea frorn near the coast down to the profound abysses of the
Atlantic. Fishing grounds were only found at moderate depths, these
extending to a distance of from ten to twenty miles off the West of
Ireland ; but in the North Sea immense fishing areas existed, each
having a depth of about fifty fathoms ; indeed, these were amongst the
finest fishing grounds in the world. While Mr. Balfour was Chief
Secretary for Ireland he made an effort with the Royal Dublin Society
to start an expedition with the view of developing the Irish fisheries.
They had worked for. two years from the south of Cork to the north of
Donegal and had done some good work. In addition to spring mackerel
fishing there was an autumn mackerel fishing carried on by the natives,
and the extent of it could be estimated froin the fact that last year as
much as ^50,000 worth of mackerel had been sent to America, and that
exportation had been going on for the -^past seven years. At several
places stations had been established for the curing of fish, these
numbering eighteen, and they had been successful on the west coast of
Kerry. The next branch of the subject, which was of a highly in-
teresting character, dealt with the development of several specie's offish.
The eggs, he pointed out, floated in the sea near the surface, the swing
of the sea being sufficient to keep them from coming to the surface
w^here they would be made the prey of various kinds of little enemies.
There was an exception to this in the case of the herring, which laid
its eggs in the bottom.
Professor Fitzgerai^d proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Green, which
was seconded by Mr. John Bro^vn.
January 8th.— An illustrated lecture on " Old Belfast ; the Origin and
Progress of the City," w^as given by Mr, J. J. Marshai,i<, assisted by
Messrs. Ai,i,en and Gray. The Secretary exhibited and described two
sepulchral urns recently presented to the Society.
52 The Irhh Naturalist.
Bei^fast Naturai^ists' Fiei,d Ci^ub.
December i8th.— The President (Mr. F. \V. Lockwood, C.E.)
in the chair. A paper entitled " Notes on Moel Tr3-faen," was contributed
by Miss Mary K. Andrews, in which it was stated that Joseph Wright,
F.G.S , had found a large number of foranis in a small quantity of sand
from the high level sands there.
The next paper was entitled " A Bit of Foreshore," by Miss S. M.
Thompson, Hon. Secretary to the Geological Section. The paper dwelt
chiefly with changes on the shore opposite Macedon that have been
observed by the writer during the last thirt}' years, especially record-
ing that the well-known cross-dykes of basalt, opposite Macedon Point,
have lost eighteen or twenty inches in height during that period, the
result being the sweeping away of deposits of mud with their appropriate
plant and animal life. The former condition of the shore was then
described, with its predominantly sandy character, and contrasted with
its present appearance when the erosion of the numerous dykes leaves
free play to the waves, and bare tracts of Triassic marl have greatly taken
the place of the old sandy surface. Similar differences further down
shore were mentioned, and the influence of these geological changes
upon the distribution of plant and animal life referred to, and the
melancholy prediction made that another quarter of a century would
probably completely level the familiar cross-dykes.
The papers were criticised by Messrs. Wm. Swanston, F.G.S. ;Wm.
Gray, M.R.I.A. ; John Hamieton, and Aeec. G. Wieson.
Mr. Wm. Gray, M.R.I.A., then made a short report as the Club
delegate to the British Association at Oxford, when the Club was
accorded the thanks of the Association for their valuable contributions
of photographs, &c., illustrating the geology of our district.
In pursuance of the recommendation of the British Association, Mr.
Gray proposed and Mr. Weech seconded the following resolution, which
was unanimously passed : — " That the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club
should place themselves in communication with the Belfast Corporation,
with a view to extending scientific knowledge by means of lectures and
demonstrations in our museums."
Mr. Gray then proceeded with his lecture on the " Missing Beds of
Cave Hill," using the geological features of Portland as apt illustrations.
The lecture was well illustrated with lantern slides and diagrams shown
by Mr. W. NichoU. the different organic remains being represented by a
fine series of fossils on the table.
The President, the Plonorary Secretary, and Mr. W. Swanston having
complimented the lecturer on his admirable paper, the following new
members were elected : — Miss Josephine Buchannan, M.A. ; Rev. Douglas
Walmsley, B.A. ; George Smith, and Miss B. Corley. y ^
— r/ y
DUBEIN NaTURAEISTS' FiEED CeUB.
December iith. — The President in the chair. Miss R. Hensman
read a paper on "Some Causes of the Disintegration of Shells." Mr.
Carpenter lectured on "Animals found in the Mitchelstown Cave."
Th€ latter of these papers appears in the present number. The former
will shortly be published. Mr. Greenwood Pim described a method of
preserving cut flowers in water, by splitting the cut end into four portions
for a short length. He exhibited specimens of Clematis that had been
treated in this manner, and pointed out how they were still quite fresh,
while others gathered at the same time, in which the stem had not been
split, were faded. Mr. R. Leoyd Praeger exhibited on behalf of a lady
member a fungus Poly poms) — stated to have been found below twelve
feet of peat in Switzerland. He also showed fine specimens of the
Fragrant Coltsfoot or Winter Heliotrope {^Petasites fragrans) ^2i\.h.^rQ.(!i that
day at Howth, the usual time of flowering being January to March.
The following new members were elected ; — Michael J. Buckley, Mrs,
S. I^owes, B. T. Patterson, CE)., J. C. Rea, B.A., A. L. C. Stuart, I,Iy.D.
©Ijje ^vi&lj Jlatttralt^t.
Vol. IV. MARCH, 1895. No. 3.
FURTHER NOTES ON THE FI.ORA OF COUNTY
DUBININ.
BY NATHANIKI. COI.GAN, M.R.I. A.
In compiling the following notes I have endeavoured to
select from my memoranda of the past j-ear such items only
as appeared likely to be of general interest to County Dublin
botanists. Though no ver}^ striking results were obtained,
only three more or less critical plants being added to the
Count}^ flora in addition to the two already recorded in these
pages (Vol. III., p. 202), the outcome of the year's work
cannot be considered altogether disappointing. A large
proportion of the rarer plants of the county have been
extended to new stations, many of the older records have been
verified, and not a few of those curious absences of common
vSpecies from certain districts w^hich one is tempted to look
upon as freaks of distribution have been detected or confirmed.
The difficulty of proving a negative is admittedly so great
that it seems wiser, for the present, to keep an open mind
with regard to these conspicuous absences, and to defer any
more particular mention of them until the systematic survey
of the county flora shall have been fully carried out.
These Further Notes then will contain nothing more than a
selection from my memoranda of^the year of some items
falling under the two headings : — I. Plants not previously
recorded for County Dublin, and II. Rarer County Dublin
Plants observed in new Stations.
I. PLANTS NOT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED FOR COUNTY
DUBLIN.
Callitrlche hamulata, Kuetz. — (i). Quarry pools near Hollywood,
Naul Hills, June, 1894. (2.) Pools at Loughlinstown, August, 1894.
Apparently rare in the county.
Lamium intermedium, Fries. — Abundant in sandy potato fields
near Rush harbour, September, 1S94.
A
54 The Irish Naturalist.
J uncus diffusus, Hoppe. — Kilakee Mountain at i,6oo feet, Sep-
tember, 1894. A plant which has all the appearance of a hybrid, yet may
be separated without any great difficulty from both of its reputed parents,
J. glaucus and J, cffusns.
II. RARKR COUNTY DUBLIN PLANTS OBSERVED IN NEW
STATIONS.
NyiYiphsea alba, Linn. — Very sparingly in pits at Portmarnock
brick-fields, where there is no appearance of its having been intentionally
introduced ; July, 1894. In the Brit. Ass. Gtiide, 1878, the species is
entered " Royal Canal, &c., rather rare." I have never seen the plant
there and can find no other definite county locality on record.
Fumarla denslflora, DC— Potato field near the brink of the large
quarry at Finglas, June, 1894. The only previous county record seems
to be Mr. G. C. Druce's for Portmarnock (y. of Bot. 1891, p. 304).
Alyssum calyclnum, Linn.— A few plants in a sandy field near
Rogerstown coast-guard station, May, 1894. This interesting little alien
has long held its ground in the county. Mackay records it from Port-
marnock in 181 7 and 1837, and Mr. H. C. Hart from the same place in
1867- 1872. My slender Rogerstown specimens range only from i to 2
inches in height, so that the plant is not hard to overlook, and may be
expected to occur in other similar stations.
Thiaspl arvense, Linn. — (i) Sparingly in cultivation at Boherna-
breena, October, 1893, and (2) abundantly in a sandy turnip field near
Rush harbour, September, 1894.
Silene con lea, Linn. — In considerable abundance, more than a
hundred plants, on a bank by the sea, to the north of Portrane peninsula,
September 24, 1894. The plant is well established here over a distance
of more than 100 yards, but seems to be quite absent from the adjoining-
sandy fields, whence it may be presumed to have spread. The only
previous record for the county is Portmarnock, 1837 (6>^. Hib.^ p. 43).
Scleranthus annuus, Linn. — Road track by the Rathmines Water-
works, Castle Kell}', at the head of Glenasmole, August, 1S94, growing
vigorously in " freestone," as the disintegrated granite is locally called.
Geranium pusillum, Linn. — A single plant in a sandy field to the
north of Portrane, September, 1894. The only other county station is
Lambay Island, where it was found by Mr, H. C. Hart in 1882 {Fl.
Lam bay').
Vicia tct rasper ma, Moench. — Sparingly on the railwa)^ bank
between Rush and Skerries, Jul}-, 1894. Knockmaroon is the only other
recorded station {Cyb. Hib.)
Arctium Intermedium, Lange. — This sub-species or varietj-,
sufficiently distinct in appearance from A. niimis, so common throughout
the county, is apparently rare in Dublin. I found a single plant of it by
the edge of a cultivated field above the sea at Malahide in September
last. There is a specimen at Glasnevin Herbarium labelled, in the
handwriting of the late Dr. Moore: " Arctiiiin intcrmcdiuin, near Baldoyle,
1840." Though the plant is set down in the Brit. Assoc. Guide, 1878, as
frequent in Dublin, I can find no definite records.
Campanula rapunculoldes, Linn.— Well established, at intervals
over a distance of 100 yards on a grassy bank by the roadside S,W. of
Rush, where I gathered flowering specimens in July, 1893. A few plants
were found by Mr. A. G. More near Bray Harbour, Co. Dublin, in 1872.
No doubt introduced in both stations, yet well fitted by its creeping
root-stock to effect a permanent settlement.
Flirt her Notes on the J'lora of County Dublin. 55
CuscutaTrifoIIly Bab. — (i.) Two large patches on Trifolium praiense
between Ballyboghil and the Wren's Nest, August, 1894, and (2) abundant
in a sandy field at the northern extremity of Portrane peninsula,
September, 1894. In the second station the plant attached itself chiefly
to Anthyllis Vulnerana which appeared to have almost completely driven
out a sowing of Trifolhun pratense. The only previous county record is
that of Dr. W. G. Smith for Ballybrack, 1868. {Dub. Nat. His. Soc. Proc,
vol. v., p. 198).
Orobanche minor, Sni. — Very abundant (1) in sandy fields to the
north of Portrane peninsula on ^////^j'/ZzV and on Trifolium hybridum and
T. pratense, September, 1894, also (2) abundant on T. pratense in a field
above the hotel at Malahide, where I gathered spikes fully 18 inches in
height at the close of September last. The only previous record for Co.
Dublin is Shennick's Island, 1893 (/. Nat., Vol. ii., p. 283). This and
the preceding species would appear to be spreading in the county.
Mentha sativa, Linn. — (i) Watery places by the roadside near
Cockle's Bridge, Garristown, August, 1894, and (2) by the Dodder near
Newtown, Tallaght, September, 1894. Often confounded, no doubt,
with M. aquatica, and perhaps frequent in the county.
Calamlntha Acinos, Clairv. — A single well-grown plant in a
stubble field by the Royal Canal, E. of Clonsilla, October, 1894.
Previously recorded from three other county stations, Portmarnock,
Portrane, and near Tulla Church, Carrickmines. Though the first
published record is due to Mackay (^Additions, 1859- 1860), a specimen in
Glasnevin Herbarium labelled: — "Portmarnock, October, 1854, Thomas
Chandlee," seems to show that Mr. Chandlee was the first to observe
the plant in the county. A rare species throughout Ireland.
Stachys arvensis, linn. — This species, apparently spreading in the
county, though still uncommon, I observed during the year at three new
stations— (i) Garristown, (2) Rush, and (3) Ballyedmonduff.
Anagrams arvensis, Linn., var. caerulea. {A.carulca, Schreb.) Of
this pretty blue-flowered variety of the Scarlet Pimpernel, I gathered a
single plant in September last in a corn-field near Raheen Point, Portrane.
There appears to be no previous published record for the county ; but
Mr. R. M. Barrington of Fassaroe, has shown me a specimen gathered
by his uncle, the late Mr. Richard Barrington, at Seapoint in 1858. The
variety seems to be very rare in Ireland.
Chenopodium nriurale, Linn.— A few plants in waste ground at
the angle of Oldcourt cross-roads south of Tallaght, 1893. Now very
rare in the county, but once much more common if the older records
may be trusted.
Lemna g^ibba, Linn.— In great abundance in the old mill-pond in
Balbriggan, August, 1894. The conspicuously buoyant masses of this
species often rising distinctly above the surface of the water make it
readilv distinguishable, by habit alone, from the common Z. minor.
Ophrys apifera, Huds.— (i) Sparingly in dry pastures among the
gravel eskers W. of Drimnagh Castle, June, 1894 ; (2) on the railway bank
at foot of Killiney Hill, July, 1894.
Juncus obtusiflorus, Ehrh.— (i) In a shallow drain at Garristown
Bog, August, 1894 : (2) very abundant in marshy ground by the northern
shore of Portrane, spreading for fully a quarter of a mile, September,
1894 ; and (3) abundant in a marsh above Saggard, Sef)tember, 1894. The
plant seems to thrive inland quite as well as in maritime stations. At
Cxarristown, 11 miles from the nearest sea, I gathered specimens upwards
of 5 feet in height, and those from the Saggard station, fully 13 miles
from the nearest sea, seem quite as vigorous as the Portrane plant.
Carex laevigrata, Sni.— In a marsh on the S.E. slope of Kilmashogue
Mountain at 700 feet, July, 1894.
A 2
56 The Irish Naturalist.
Festuca myurus, Ivinn.— A few tufts on a wall top near Lispopple
cross roads, August, 1894. Very rare in the count}', the only other
recorded stations being Howtli and Donnybrook, in the latter of which
it was gathered by ]\Ir. A. G. More in 1878.
Lastrea Orcopterls, Presl. — This fern, so abundant in parts of
Wicklow, seems extremely rare in Dublin. A single plant only rewarded
my search in the Dublin Mountains this j-ear (September, 1S94), and as
this grew directly on the Dublin and Wicklow boundary S.W. of Glen-
cullen Bridge, it is not without hesitation I give it a place here. M)'
friend, Revd. C. F. d'Arcj% who is thoroughly acquainted v/ith the Dublin
Mountains, and has made a close study of their ferns, tells me he found
a single plant on Glendhu Mountain in or about 1880.
Botrychlum Lunaria, Sw.— (i) Verj' abundant on the summit
(1,250 feet), and down the northern slope of Montpelier at intervals to
700 feet. May, 1894 ; (2) Pastures near the shore below the monument
(round tower) at Portrane, April, 1894, Still frequent in Mackay's old
station, Kelly's Glen or Glenasmole [Cat. 1S06) in the upper portion of
which Mr. Greenwood Pim tells me he found it in 1889, while Dr.
M'Weeney two years later gathered it lower down the-glen near Friars-
town.
Ophiogrlossum vulg-atum, Linn. — (i) Frequent in damp pastures
above Gormanstown woods, April, 1894 ; (2) Marshy fields near
Dunsoghly Castle, abundant. May, 1894 ; (3) Near the head of Crooksling
Glen, above the Slade of Saggard, at 650 feet, June, 1894. Mr. W. H.
Bloomer has shown me a specimen gathered by him near the monument
at Portrane in April, 1894, and Dr. M'Weeney informs me that he found
the plant abundant in 1891 along Glenasmole, from a little above
Friarstown to the head of the valley. Near Friarstown, I found it in
great profusion and luxuriance on the 24th June last. Appears more
widelj' distributed in the county than the preceding species, as it is now
on record from seven out of the eight districts into which I have divided
the county for botanical purposes.
Lycopodium clavatum, Linn. — In great abundance and fruiting
freel}' on the flat mossy summit of Slieve Thoul, near the S.W. extremity
of the county at a height of 1,300 feet, August, 1894. I'erhaps no
observ'ation of last season was more satisfactory to me than this, as a
25 years close acquaintance with the Dublin Mountains had failed to
give me a single station for this interesting species. Loosel}^ and
inaccurately set down in Mackay's Catalogue, 1824, as plentiful in the
Dublin Mountains, and recorded in the Irish Flora, 1833, from Kelly's
Glen and Ballynascorney.
In concluding these Notes I wish to express my indebtedness
to Mr. A. G. More and Mr. Arthur Bennett for assistance in
determining some of the critical forms referred to. Information
of further stations for any of the rarer County Dublin species,
I shall be ahvaj^s glad to receive, as well as any reference to
records, whether in the shape of manuscript, printed matter,
or herbaritim plants, likely to throw^ light on the history of
the county flora.-'' Notes of new stations for rare or critical
plants vShotild, if possible, be accompanied by specimens.
* Communications on the subject may be addressed to i, Bel grave-
road, Rathmiues, Co. Dublin.
[ 57 ]
SOME NOTES ON THE IRISH CAVES.
BY R. F. SCHARFF, PH.D.
Mr. Carpf;ntfr's article in last month's Irish Naturalist, on
the animals found in the Mitchelstown Cave, is one of the
most interesting, and at the same time one of the most
valuable contributions which has been published in this
periodical. I fully agree with his remarks as to the desira-
bility of further investigating the Irish caves. A few of them
have been entered with a view to the discovery of bats, — others
have been examined by archaeologists, but hardly any of them
have been systematically worked.
Mr. Carpenter's interest in the researches would be chiefly
directed towards finding the living creatures which are hidden
in the dark recesses of the caves, but of equal if not greater
importance are the remains of extinct animals, which may be
buried there. When we consider the vast amount of w^ork
wliich has been accomplished in that direction by Prof. Boyd
Dawkins in England, it seems surprising how little has been
attempted in Ireland. The late Prof. I,eith Adams directed
his attention to one or two caves in the South of Ireland, and
in the exploration of the Bally namintra Cave he was joined
by Messrs. Kinahan and Ussher. Their united labours were
crowned with great success, but the number of extinct
mammals hitherto obtained in Irish caves remains surpris-
ingly small, when we compare them with those discovered in
England and the South of Wales. Although a thorough
exploration of caves is a somewhat costly undertaking, I
venture to hope that a commencement will soon be made, as
it is probable that it would lead to very important discoveries
and additions to our extinct fauna.
As a preliminary towards this exploration, I think we
should obtain a complete list of all the Irish caves, with their
exact localities and approximate dimensions. I have made a
few notes on the position of some of the caves, and with the
kind assistance of Dr. Wright I discovered records of several
additional ones, but I feel sure that a very much larger
number of them exist in Ireland. I therefore append a map
on which all the caves known to me are marked, cliiefl}^ with
a view of eliciting further information from country corres-
pondents who may happen to read this note. I also add to
the number referring to any particular cave a list of the
58
The Irish Naturalist.
papers in which it has beeu mentioned. This list naturally is
far from being complete, and I hope readers of the Irish
Naturalist will send to the Editors any additional titles of
papers they may come across.
Co. Antrim.
I & 2. Caves at Ballinto}'.
3. Cave on Carrick-a-rede.
Bryce, J. "On some caverns containing bones near the Giant's
Cause^v•ay." Brit. Assoc. Report, 1834.
4. Caves on RathUn Island.
Andrews, T. "On some caves in Rathhn and adjoining coast."
Brit. Assoc. Report ^ 1834, p. 660.
Some Notes on the Irish Caves. 59
Co, Civ ARE.
5. Ballyallia Cave,
Foot, V. J. Froc. Dublin Nai. Hist. Soc. Vol. ii. April, 1859, p. 152.
6. Cave at Eden vale.
Kinahan, J. R. Froc. Dublin Nat. Hist, Soc. Vol. iii. June, 1861,
P-97.
7. Glancrawne Cave, Castleton.
Kinahan, J. R. Froc. Dublin Nai. Hist. Soc. Vol. iii. June, 1861,
p. 104,
8. Glenallia Cave.
Kinahan, J. R. Froc. Dublin Nat. Hist. Soc. Vol. iii. June, i86r,
p. 99.
9 & 10. Caves at Inchiquin Lough. \ Kinahan, J. R. Froc. Dublin Nat.
II, 12, & 13. Caves at Ouin. > Hist. Soc. Vol. iii. June, 1861,
14. Vigo Cave. ) p. 94.
Co. Cork,
15. Ovens near Kilumney.
Liish Naturalist, 1894, p. 241.
Co. Fermanagh.
16. Knockmore Cave near Derrygonelly.
Wakeman, W. F. Froc. Royal Irish Academy, Vol. x. 1870, pp. 229-
232.
17. Knockninny Cave.
Plunkett, T. Froc. R. Irish Acad. (2). Vol. i. 1870-79, pp. 329-338.
Co. GaIvWay.
18. Caves at Coole Park, Gort.
Scott. " Irish Fossil Mammalia." Gcol. Mag. Vol vii. 1S70, p. 416.
Co. K11.KENNY.
19. Dunmore Cave.
Kinahan, J. R. Froc, Dublin Nat. Hist. Soc, Vol. iii. June, 1861,
P- 95-
Mallet, R. '* On some stalagmites from the Cave of Dunmore."
Quarterly J^ozir. Geol. Soc. Dublin. Vol. iii. 1849.
Hardman, G. T. " On two new deposits of human and other
liones in Dunmore Cave." Froc. Royal Irish Academy (2). Vol.
ii. (Science). 1875-77, PP- 168-176.
Foot, A. W. Joicr. Royal Hist, and Arch. Assoc. (4). Vol. i.
Robertson, J. G. Natural History Review. Vol. i. 1854, pp. 169-
174.
Co. Tipperary.
20. Mitchelstown Cave.
Apjohn, J. " On the newly discovered Cave vsituate between
Cahir and Mitchelstown." Jour^ Geol. Soc. Dublin. Vol. i. 1833,
pp. 103-111.
Co. Waterford.
21. Bally namintra Cave, Cappagh.
Ussher, Adams, and Kinahan. "Report on the Exploration of
Ballynamintra Cave." Froc. Royal Irish Acadctiiy (2). Vol. ii. (Pol.
Lit), pp. 73-78.
22. Shandon Cave, Dungarvan.
Dawkins, Boyd. " Cave Hunting."
Adams, Leith. Sci. Froc. R. Dublin Soc. Vol. ii., pp. 45-86.
Scott. Geolog. Mag. Vol, vii. 1870, p. 417.
23. Cave at Whitechurch.
Hull, E. Anniversary address Royal Geol. Society, Ireland,
1877. four. Royal Geol. Soc, Ireland {N.S.). Vol. iv,, pp. 49-51.
6o The Irish Naturalist.
WITH THE WII.D BEES IN GI.ENCUIvI.EN.
BY H. K. gore: CUTHBERT.
(Read before the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, February i2tli, 1895.)
GlknculIvEN, on the boundary between the counties of
Dublin and Wicklow, might be described in the poet's phrase
as '* A populous solitude of bees and birds,
And fairy- formed and many-coloured things" ; —
in soberer language it is a very interesting valley which the
Cookstown river in recent, and more violent agencies in former
times, have scooped out of the granite wall of South Dublin
and the drift overlying its hollows. The geologist and the
botanist ma}^ spend a profitable day in Glencullen. Let us
visit it for the nonce as entomologists, and, rambling thither
some sunny afternoon in June, take note of the wild bees that
we meet. We can watch their doings, study their habits, and
thereby teach ourselves something of their economy and the
complex w^orkings of their instinct.
At starting, leaving the woods at the Enniskerry end of the
"len, we notice how the air seems full of bees. Their brisk hum
is everywhere, they seem to hover over every bush and flow^er,
and to rise up before us in protest as we brush through the
grass. There is a mossy bank just before us where the com-
motion seems keenest. This is the capital city of a humble-bee,
Bombus vmsconim^ commonly called the Carder, and one of
the best known of its tribe. The nest is not yet complete,
for the season is still early, and, as its tenants are unwarlike,
we can examine it in safety. Their dwelling, oval in shape,
is entirely composed of moss, which the bees ingeniously
heckle or card with their feet, afterwards working it up into a
compact mass, resisting changes of weather. When possible
these architects like to choose a site at the foot of a wall or
base of a bank, this position giving them a certain security.
Lifting the roof of the nest we find a series of cells of various
sizes, connected by masses of coarse brown wax, somewhat
in shape like pigeons' eggs, but longer and thinner. These
cells are not made of wax, but of a silky material like rice-
paper, and are really the cocoons spun by the bee-grubs. At
this time of year they will not be very numerous, but towards
the end of summer we may count between two and three score.
Round about these cocoons, at the sides and base of the nest.
With the Wild Bees in Glencidlen. 6i
we shall find several masses of wax, very much resembling
the queen-cells of the Hive-Bee, containing young grubs and
bee-bread, or kneaded lumps of pollen and honey. These are
the work of the queen-mother, the foundress of the colony,
in the early .spring days. According as the grubs grow to
maturity they spin up the egg-shaped cocoons we first noticed,
wherein they undergo their changes, first into nymphs, after-
wards into perfect bees. The empty cocoons are then
strengthened by the workers with a rim of wax and used as
store-pots for hone3^ The older writers on bees, such as
Kirby, state that the latter is never stored by an}^ of our wild .
bees in regular cells like those of the hive-bee ; but I have
found, as we shall probably here find, in the nests of the
I^apidary or Red-tailed Humble-bee, several roughly- shaped
hexagonal cells of brown wax, partly sealed, and filled with
honey. The queens and workers of the latter bee are very
common objects at this time ; later in the season we shall meet
with the males. Other humble-bees are in evidence, especially
the White-tail, ^^?;/ ^2^^ terrestris; an allied species, B. hortonim;
and we ma}'' meet a specimen of the less common B. sylvaiimi.
There are other bees here too, in numbers on bramble
flowers and white-thorn, or flying up and down the faces of
the cla}^ banks. These are various members of the large
genus Andi'ena, which, like the bulk of our wild bees, are
" solitary " in their habits, and consi.st of two kinds of in-
dividuals only, males and females ; or as we may put it,
drones and workers, the untiring industry of the female
being a characteristic feature of all the stinging Hymenoptera.
The lad}^ Andrena constructs a tunnel or burrow in the face
of a bank to a depth, varying with different species, of from
eight to fourteen inches. These burrows are seldom straight,
and often branch out into subsidiary tunnels. At the end of
each the mother-bee places a ball of pollen and an q.%%.
She then closes the burrow with a pellet of clay to prevent
the invasion of ants and predacious beetles.
The members of this genus we shall most likely meet are
Andreyia Trimmerana, A. albicans, A. helvola, A. Wilkella
(easily known even on the wing by its silvery pile), A.
Gzvynana, A.viimitnla, and perhaps, though I have not taken
it in GlencuUen, the handsome A, cineraria,
A3
62 The Irish Naturalist,
In company with the A^idreucc we observe crowds of the
brightly coloured Nomada: or wasp-bees, wath gaud}^ stripes
of black and 3'ellow, belonging to the large group of inquiline
or " cuckoo "-bees. Thej^ are so called because they do not
make nests for themselves, but use the nests of other species,
their young being reared upon the food stored up for the
grubs of their hosts. Amongst them we notice the common
Noviada altcniata, N'. rujico7'nis, and A^ siiccificta ; we may also
meet A^. bijida and N". ftavoguttata. At the upper part of the
glen I have taken an example ot the rare A', fcrntginata, a
rather sober-coloured insect.
Here upon a Hawkweed is a bee of curious appearance,
dark-coloured, with a sharpl}^ pointed tailpiece, ringed with
narrow greyish bands. This is another inquiline, Ccelioxys
clongata, and we shall not have far to go for its host. There
are several .species of the latter, but the commonest, Megachilc
ccntunciilaris, is abundant in many places. It is about the
size of a hive-bee, but stouter, and lines its burrow ver}'
neatly with cuttings of Rose and Sweetbriar leaves. Nor does
it confine its attention to the rose family only, for I have seen
it cutting the leaves of such shrubs as Symphoricarptis. An
allied species, M. lignisccca^ lines its nest with cuttings from
the Elm and the Beech.
Another genus of wild bee, Halictus, cannot possibly
escape our notice, from the great abundance of some of its
species. One of the commonest of these is a very pretty
insect, Halictus mbicnndiis, the females being easil}- known
by their ashy-grey banding and golden-yellow pile. The male
Halicti have rather a peculiar appearance from their elongated
bodies and slender antennae. The males of H. riibictrndtis
and H. cylindricus often congregate in a common burrow
where they pass the night, and spend the time when the day
is wet or cloudy. We shall probably meet with some of these
"bachelor's clubs" by exploring the cla}' banks as sunset
approaches. Most of the Halicti ^.re small black or brassy
insects, and all are remarkable for their fu.ssv activitv.
Flying about the burrows of the Halicti, but of less active
habits, we observe other little 1)ees, prettily marked with
black and scarlet. These belong to the genus Sphccodes,
fonnerly, but wrongly, thought to be inc|uiline like the
With the Wild Bees in Glcnctdlen. 63
Nomadce. We can distinguish at least two species, 5. gibbus
and ^S*. dimidiatus?
All the bees we have dealt with up to this belong to the
long-tongued group, in scientific parlance A7ithophila
aciitilingua. But there are a couple of the obtusilingual or
short-tongued division we shall pretty certainl}^ notice near
the Glendhu side of the valle}-. One of these, Piosopis con-
fusa, is a small black insect, somewhat like Halictus subfaseiatzcs,
but distinguished on closer inspection by its light yellow,
face and the yellowish bands upon its legs. The female
Prosopis constructs her tunnel in a bramble stem, lining it
throughout with a whitish secretion ; the male seems to be a
notably lazy insect, for he is usually found, even in the sun-
niest part of the da}^ coiled up asleep in the cup of some
flower.
Our other short-tongued bees belong to the genus Colletes.
Two species occur at Glencullen, C.f adieus and C. Daviesana.
The latter is not uncommon, a small bee of compact shape,
thinly clothed with light brown hair. Several of its colonies,
with burrows crowded closely together, will be found in the cut
banks near the mountain end of the glen. The Colletidce con
struct a remarkably clean-cut tunnel, about five inches in
depth, terminating in a cluster of cells. These are finished
with peculiar care. In fact the more we examine their work
the more we shall marvel at their method, and the anicunt of
industry involved. Each cell is oval in shape, about the
size of a linnet's Q:gg, made of fine mortar, and lined with a
waxy enamel. When finished the}' are provisioned, as usual,
with pollen. To dig them out intact requires some care, but
we may accomplish it before the daylight fails us.
We have now in our afternoon stroll taken a hasty glance
at a few of the wild bees that may be met with any summer's
day in Glencullen. There are certainly others we have not
noticed, needing fuller observations to record. But using our
' I may mention, however, that Mr. Edward vSaunders (" Ilymenoptera-
Aculeata of the British Isles," p. 194), is incHned to adopt' the earlier
opinion as to the inquiline nature of S^/iecodcs. The facts that it is
always found in company with Halictus, the absence of any pollinigerous
organs, and its listless habit of flight, would vseem to support this view ;
but the question can hardly be considered settled.
The researches and observations of vSmith, Shuckard, Bridgman, and
Sichel, and the analogy of the structure of Ceratlna SinCi Prosopis supply
the chief arguments against the quoted opinion of Mr. Saunders.
64 The Irish Naturalist.
ej^es as naturalists, and as naturalists seeking to gather the
meaning of what we have seen, we have traversed Glencullen
till we have reached the end of the valley, and with it the end
of our ramble. The stars are beginning to twinkle overhead
and a bluish mist to enwrap the tree-tops of the glen. Soon
a turn of the path will hide from us the late scene of our
inquiries ; but will not, I trust, so easily efface the recollection
of the hours therein spent, and the knowledge we shall have
derived from them.
THE PI.ANTS OF WESTMHATH.
BY H. C. I^KVINGE, D.L.
During the past summer and autumn, the following plants
were gathered by me in the Count}" Westmeath, additional to
those recorded in the May and June numbers of the Irish
Naturalist for 1894, thus bringing up the total number of
species for the county to 572, and the total additions to the
Cybele Hibernica, Dist. VII., to 77. The R^ibi were submitted
to the Revds. E. F. I^inton and W. Moyle Rogers, who have
kindly examined and named them : —
Ranunculus circinatus, Sibth (vii.) — Brittas Lake, Knock Driii.
Rubus rhamnifolius, Aiict. Aiigl. (vii.) — Knock Drin woods.
R. Incurvatus, Bab. (vii.)— Knock Drin. A striking and handsome
Briar with fine panicles of bright pink flowers and dark-green foUage,
not previonsly recorded from Ireland, but by no means uncommon in the
woods at Knock Drin.
R. crythrinus, Genev. (vii.) — Roadside hedge, near the '' Longford
gate," Knock Drin.
R, nrsucronatus, Blox. (vii.) — Deer Park fence. Knock Drin.
R. corylifolius, Sm. (=sublustris, Lees.) (vii.)— Knock Drin
woods.
R. Balfourianus, Blox.? (vii.) — Near "the vSupply " Bridge near
Mullingar. Mr. K. F. Linton remarks that this is certainly Corylifolian
or Caesian, and Mr. M. Rogers suggests it may be a form oi Ba/foitriantis,
Blox., which is a very variable plant.
Lactuca muralis, Fresen. (vii.) — Ballynegall roadside wall, between
Portnashangan Church and School-house, also in the Ballynegall
Demesne ; appears to be truly indigenous.
Tragopogon prate n sis, L. (vii.)— Killua Demesne, near Clonmel-
lon.
*OrnlthogaIum umbellatum, L. (vii.)— Rockview, near Delvin,
thoroughly established in ditch banks and meadows.
tBromus commutatus, Schrad. (vii.) (fide Mr. A. Bennett). —
Meadows at Knock Drin.
Chara denudata, Braun. ( = C. dissoluta, Leonh.) — Brittas Lake
Knock Drin. Not previously found in the British Islands — vide descrip-
tion bv Messrs. H. and J. Groves, Irish Naltrralisi^ ^smwsiYy, 1S95, p. ii.
• [ 65 ]
IRISH MAMMAI.S.
BY G. ^. H. BARRHTT-HAMIIv'TON, B.A.
If, as Mr. Lydekker truly remarks in the preface to his recent
work,' " no monograph of the British Mammals as a whole
has been published since the second edition of Bell's ' British
Quadrupeds' in 1874" and "since that date considerable
advances have been made with regard to our knowledge of
the geographical distribution of our native mammals," it was
surely all the more incumbent upon the Editor and Publishers
of the volume to procure the services of an author, vdio
was known to have paid some attention to the study of British
mammals. Mr. I^ydekker, on the contrar}^ starts with the
humiliating confession that he " makes no claim to being an
observer of the habits of British mammals," and he has, there-
fore, filled his pages with quotations drawn largely from the
writings of Macgillivray, as published in the original series of
the " Naturalists' Library.'' To these he has added notes con-
tributed by Mr. A. Trevor Battye and Mr. W. E. de Winton—
gentlemen whose names have been until quite recently un-
knov\m in connection with the study of our British Mammals —
while he has almost completely ignored the older workers,
with the exception of Mr. J. E- Harting. In his preface, the
author does, indeed, tender his acknowledgments to Mr. A-
G. More (whom he appears to think is still "of the Dublin
Museum ") " for much important information kindly com-
municated by letter on the subject of Irish mammals," but
there is little trace of Mr. More's influence in the body of the
work, and the general meagreness of the references to Ireland,
and the quotations from Thompson's " Natural History of
Ireland " with regard to the distribution of mammals whose
whole status might well have been completely changed since
the publication of that excellent work, leads us to the belief
that the author has taken but little pains to make himself
acquainted with the natural history of Ireland.
It would take more than Mr. Lydekker' s pleasant style of
writing and the prett}^ binding of the book to hide the haste
^ Allen's Naturalists' Library, edited by R. Bowdler Sharp, LI/.D.,
F.Iv.S., etc. — A Handtsook to the British lYIammalia, by R.
IvYDEKKER, B.A., F.R.vS., V.P.G.S., etc., Loudon; W. H. Allen & Co.,
Limited, 13, Waterloo-place, S,W,, 1S95. Price 6s.
A 4
66 The Irish Nahiralist.
whicli is evident on almost all page.s of his volume, and which
could hardly have been expected to have been absent from a
work which appears to have been projected onl}^ about a year
ago.
In the present notice we propose to confine ourselves for
the most part to that part of the book which refers to mam-
mals found in Ireland, and, even then, w^ant of space will
hardly permit us to notice all the omissions.
We cannot compliment the publishers on the thirty-two
plates. In our opinion Mr. lyydekker's book would have been
much improved had they bee;i left out. These may have
been good for the time w^hen the first edition of the Natura-
lists' Library was published, but in these daj^s readers expect
something more for their money than plates like No. 2 (the
Long-eared Bat), which even the author is compelled to de-
scribe as *' not quite true to nature." But if the plates are
bad, the figures of the skulls are worse ; some of them indeed
are hardly recognizable as skulls at all, w^ere it not that we
are told so in the letter-press. That of the skull of the
Squirrel on page 16S is almost the worst of a bad lot.
The best parts of the book are the chapters on the ancient
mammals of Britain, and the introduction, which are pleasantly
written, but even these are by no means perfect.
In the introduction (pp. 1-13) Mr. Lydekker discusses the
origin of the British mammalian fauna. The British Islands
come under the category of Dr. A. R. Wallace's " Continental "
Islands, that is to say they were lands which have evidently
been united with the neighbouring Continent of Europe at no
ver}^ remote epoch, to wdiich fact the general similarity of the
fauna and flora and of the geological formations, the shallow-
ness of the intervening seas, and the absence of peculiar
mammals testify. Among the proofs which exist that these
islands formerly stood at a much higher elevation than at
present is the case, not the least remarkable are the submerged
forests which occur on several parts of the coast of Great
Britain, in addition to which the author might have mentioned
many which occur in Ireland, such as that on the coast of
the Barony of Forth in the Count}' of Wexford.
Mr. Lydekker credits Britain with forty-seven species of
terrestrial mammals (including several doubtful species), which
have been known to have inhabited the British Islands during
. Irish Mammals. C>j
the historic period. Of these tv/ent3^-six are Irish, but the
Wolf, the Brown Bear, and the Wild Boar are now extinct,
while the Black and Brown Rats, the Rabbit, the Fallow Deer,
and the Squirrel are introduced as doubtfully indigenous
species, so that our present list of truly indigenous Irish
mammals fairly includes only eighteen species, and in historic
times Ireland appears never to have had more than twenty-
one species. Great Britain, on the contrary, has been inhabi-
ted by about forty species, while the neighbouring parts of the
Continent of Europe possess many more.
In discussing the cause for this difference in richness of the
fauna of countries lying so close to each other, Mr. I^ydekker
brings forward three theories— (i.) That of Dr. Wallace, who
attributes the disappearance of the ancient British Fauna to a
submergence of comparatively late date ; (ii.) that wdiich
attributes the disappearance of the greater part of the fauna to
the ice-sheet of the Glacial Epoch, and (iii.) that of Mr. G. W.
Bulman (expressed in a recent paper) that the ice-sheet did
not extend further south than the latitude of I^ondon, if as
far south as that, whence the fauna again spread northwards
with the return of more favourable conditions, although with
the loss of such forms as were unable to withstand a
considerable amount of cold. On this latter view it is
considered that Britain never was connected with the
Continent after the passing away of the Glacial Period.
On the two former views we must attribute our new fauna
to a short connection with the Continent subsequent to the
destruction by the ice of the Glacial Period. Of these theories,
Mr. lyydekker is more inclined to agree with the second —
indeed, Mr. Bulman's ingenious suggestion does not seem to
account for the poverty of the mami;iaiian fauna of Ireland as
compared wdth that of the rest of Britain.
At this point we should have expected some attempt at an
explanation of the peculiarities of our Irish mammalian fauna,
but not a word have we on the subject, in fact the difficulty
has been ignored by Mr. lyydekker in a manner similar to
that in which he has ignored many others in his book. Not
even is there a reference (we believe, in the whole book) to
the work of the late Professor A. I^eith Adams, who wrote in
^ Nalural Science^ Oct., 1S93.
68 I he Irish Naturalist,
one of his papers' that " The probabilitj' is, that the migra-
tion came from Scotland, and that there was a land communi-
cation between the two countries at the close of the Glacial
Period, b}^ which the greater portion of the mammals that
had found their way to Scotland crossed to Ireland."
Professor Leith Adams was led to make this suggestion hy
the fact that all the living and extinct mammals of Ireland,
with the exception of the Grizzly Bear, have been recorded
also from Scotland, while a large number of extinct English
mammals are absent from both Ireland and Scotland. This
suggestion has been .supported by the recent investigations of
Scottish naturalists into the Fauna of the islands lying
between Ireland and Scotland.
In an ingenious paper lately published. Dr. R. F. Scharfif^
has stated his opinion, based upon the distribution of the
Fresh-water Fish and the Mollusca that ''Ireland was in later
Tertiary times connected with Wales in the South and Scot-
land in the North, whilst a freshwater lake occupied the present
central area of the Irish Sea. The Southern connection broke
down at the beginning of the Pleistocene Period, the
Northern connection following soon after. There is no
evidence of an}- subsequent land connection between Great
Britain and Ireland." There is much to be said in favour of
this view, but it seems to us that perhaps an adaptation of
Mr. Bulman's views to Ireland might account for the pecu-
liarities of the flora and fauna of the south and west, such as the
presence of the Mediterranean Heath and the Natter-jack toad.
Passing on to the systematic part of the work — which
commences with the Bats (pp. 13 — 53), of which seven
species have been found in Ireland, we find the statement
that " since Bats are, on the whole, less interesting than
many other British mammals, our notices of the various
species will be comparatively brief" Thus, Mr. I^ydekker
again avoids a difficulty, and, while giving us anj^ quantity of
quotations from writers on the habits of our more common and
easil}^ observed mammals, contents himself with most meagre
notes on the rarer, or less easily observed, and therefore, we
should have thought, more interesting species. The list of
1 '* Report on the History of Irish Fossil Mammals," Proc. Roy. Irish
Acad. (2) Vol. iii., 1883.
2 Pi'oc. R. Irish Acad, (3) Vol. iii., 1S94, No. 3.
Irish Mammals. 69
the localities where the rarer Irish Bats have been obtained
is very meagre, and in very few cases has the author taken
the trouble to give the references for his statements. The
subject of the migration of Bats is barely touched upon (page
27), the words "the fact that Bats do migrate, either occasion-
ally or periodical!}', being well ascertained on the testimony
of several trustworthy observers," being a very inadequate
reference to so interesting a subject, with regard to which we
may note that, though we once tried to obtain information on
this subject by a correspondence with the light-keepers at
the light-stations on the Irish coast, we entirely failed to
obtain any valuable information as to the occurrence of Bats
at these stations.
On the distribution of the Hedgehog (in Ireland) (page 58),
Mr. Lydekker has no more recent authority to quote than
Thompson for the statement that it "is found everywhere in
suitable localities." But, indeed, there is little w^ork to be
done with regard to the distribution of Irish mammals.
With the exception of the Bats, the Cetaceans, the Squirrel,
the Black Rat, and the Red deer, all our mammals are found
from north to south of the island, and many of the cases in
which their distribution is curtailed are due to the direct
agency of man. Referring to the depredations of Hedgehogs
among game-birds and their egg-stealing propensities, he pre-
sents us with the statements of two writers in the Field and
La7id and Water, without giving either their names or a
reference to the pages where their remarks occur, and then
goes on to announce triumphantly that " this evidence,
although circumstantial, appears to be pretty conclusive."
Although, no doubt, the Hedgehog is, on the whole, a
nocturnal animal, that this is not always the case we can testify
from personal experience, having found a Hedgehog moving
about in broad daylight in the Co. Wexford. It is a pity that
Mr. Lydekker has not given us any notes on the habits of the
Hedgehog in captivity — an omission which we have also to
regret in the case of many other species.
Passing over the Mole, the Water-Shrew and the Common
Shrew, which are not found in Ireland, we find an exceed-
ingly short account of the I^esser Shrew, an interesting and
but little known mammal, which is the only representative of
its genus in our country. It appears to be widely distributed
7^6 The Irish Naturalist.
and frequent, at least in parts of Ireland. Sir Douglas
Brooke has an albino example, obtained in Fermanagh.
Mr. L3^dekker's statement with regard to Shrews that " during
the winter they retire beneath the roots of trees or bushes, to
the deserted holes of other small mammals or other secure
nooks, where they pass the cold months in a state of profound
torpor" can hardly be regarded as a serious one in the face of
the receipt b}^ the writer of several specimens of the I^esser
Shrew from the Co. Wexford during the recent severe frost.
Mr. Oldfield Thomas also writes that he has received four
Common and one I^esser Shrew from Norway, caught on three
feet of snow, with the thermometer below zero ! Among the
synonj^ns of the I^esser vShrew we do not note that of Sorex
hiber?iicus given to it by Jenyns. Quite recently a note has
been published by Mr. Oldfield Thomas^ in which he shows
that the correct names for the two British species of Shrews
are Sorex araiietis, Linn., for the Common Shrew, and 6*.
mi^iutiis, Linn., for the Lesser or Pygmy Shrew. Mr.
Lydekker, however, retains the name of ^S. vulgaris, Linn.,
for the Common Shrew.
The first of the Carnivora, in Mr. Lydekker's book, which
has been found in Ireland, is the Wolf, and we are glad to be
able here to give a word of praise to Mr. Lydekker for having
included in his book notices of the extinct members of our
fauna, which are undoubtedly entitled to their place beside
their more fortunate survivors. As is so often the case in this
book, Mr. Lydekker has given no reference for his statements
with regard to the Wolf, and our readers ma}' be glad to refer
for further details to Mr. Harting's article on the extinct
British Wolf," also to an interesting note by Mr. G. H.
Kinahan\ It is a pity that Mr. Lydekker has omitted any
reference to the Wolf-dogs, for which Ireland Avas famous, and
for accounts of which the writings of Prof. Leith Adams,
Sir William Wilde, Dr. V. Ball and others should be consulted,
as well as Captain Graham's work on the Irish Wolthound-'.
As in the case of the Wolf, so with regard to the Wild Boar
in Ireland (pp. 255-257) Mr. Lydekker's statements are not
quite satisfactory, and he has given no reference to prove the
^ Zoologist, Feb., 1895, pp. 62-4. ^ Popular Science Review, 1878, pp. 396-406.
8 Land and Water, November 3rd, 1894. '^ Dursley, 1885.
h'ish Manwtals. 71
existence of this animal in historic times. Although the
absence of pig-bones in the older Irish deposits has caused
some doubt to be expressed as to whether this animal was
trul}^ indigenous to Ireland,' there is no doubt that herds of
pigs, either truly wild or feral, infested the woods and forests
of Ireland in historic times.
As to the Fox (pp. 98-104) Mr. Lydekker seems to have no
more recent authorit}^ to quote than Thompson, and this is
also the case with regard to the Badger and Otter, which
animals all survive from north to south of Ireland, and in
many parts of the country are plentiful. A reference to our
packs of Foxhounds would not, we think, have been out of
place, nor would a reference to the weight of this animal, an
interesting note on which was published last 3'ear.
On the distribution of the Marten Mr. I^ydekker has quoted
the latest paper on the subject, but has again omitted to give
the reference.^ Since that article was written we have
obtained records of the occurrence of the marten in Roscom-
mon,-* in Dublin in 1877,5 and from several other counties
from which it had been already recorded. Interesting notes
on Martens robbing bee-hives of the honey will be found in
the Field.'
That the Polecat ever existed in Ireland will be news to
many Irish naturalists, and we should like to know on what
authority Mr. Lydekker makes the statement (p. 114) that
" although Thompson had doubts of its occurrence, there
appears good evidence that the Polecat, in his time at least,
was an inhabitant of the woods of Kerry, Down, and other
parts of Ireland."
"The Stoat," says Mr. Lydekker (page 1 19), "does not, accord-
ing to Thompson, undergo a personal colour-change" in
Ireland. Occasionally, however, Stoats undergo a partial
change iu Ireland in the winter, and Mr. Kinahan' records
examples from Dublin, Galway, Clare, and Mayo. Mr. More's
experience is not in accordance with this, and after many years
1 V. Ball, in Sci. Trans. Royal Ditblin Soc. (2), vol iii., No. x , p. 339.
'- Fidd, March roth, 1894. =• Zoologist, April, 1894.
* Field, April, 4, 1874. '^ Britisli Assoc. Guide to Dublin y part ii., p. 90.
6 Feb. 10, 1877, May 17, 1873, and April 4, 1871.
7 Land and Water, June 11, 1892,
72 The IrisJi Nahu-alist.
of close attention to Irish Natural History, he informed us
that he had never met with a white Stoat in winter ; but such
a specimen certainly exists, from Co. Wexford, in the Dublin
Museum of Science and Art,' and Mr. R. M. Barrington has
another from Meath.= In the County Cork there is a pack
of hounds which are trained to hunt the Stoat in summer,
when there is no Fox hunting, and they give excellent sport,
but of course are followed on foot.
Although Mr. J. K- Harting^ seems still to have a lingering
hope that the Weasel may yet be found in Ireland, Mr.
Iy3-dekker (p. 122) rightly states that " it appears tobe unknown"
there, and indeed the question may now, w^e think, be fairly
considered as settled that the Weasel does 7iot occur in Ireland.
Often as the Weasel has been reported, no specimen has ever
been produced, and such specimens as have been produced
and submitted to competent naturalists have invariably proved
to be Stoats.
(TO be; concIvUdkd.)
PROCKKDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.
ROYATv ZOOI.OGICAI. vSOCIKTV.
Recent donations comprise a porcupine from C. A. James, Esq ; a
Peacock and a pair of White Guinea-fowl from J. Dah', Esq. ; and a
cockatoo from Mrs. Paul. Three Great Eagle-Owls, an Axis D^er, two
Peccaries, an Ocelot, three Paradoxures, a Viverrine Cat, a Prairie
Marmot, two Armadillos, a hundred Java vSparrows, an Aoudad, and an
Antelope have been acquired by purchase.
2,060 persons visited the Gardens in January.
Dubinin MicroscopicaIv Ci.ub.
December 2oth. — The Club met at Dr. M'Weeney'S, who showed
a series of serial sections of the human central nervous system prepared
by Van Gehuchten's modification of Golgi's method. This consists in
impregnating the ganglion cells and their processes with chromate of
silver b}- immersion of the pieces of tissue in nitrate of silver solution after
treatment of bichromate of potash and osmic acid. The finest rami-
fications of the non-medullated protoplasmic processes of the nerve-cells
can thus be followed, and the method maybe said to have revolutionized
our ideas of the structure of the central nervous organs. A peculiarity
is that the sections must be mounted without a cover-glass. Contrast
sections by Weigert's method were also shown.
^ Vide Land and IJ'afcv, May 28, 1892.
'^ Op. Cii., June 4, 1892. ^ Zoologist, Dec, 1894.
Proceedings of Irish Societies. 73
Mr. F. W. Moore exhibited Verlid/Iivm latertiiim,'Etrt. It was found
growing on a piece of decaying stem of Cattlcya Doiviana, which had been
imported recently from Costa Rica, on which it formed bright red
patches. Under the microscope the colour did not appear nearly so
brilliant as in the growing condition.
Mr. G. H. Carpenter showed preparation of the head of the sea-midge,
Cliinio marimis, Halid., drawing special attention to the large size and
circular shape of the eye-facets, and to the vestigial condition of the
jaws.
Dr. Scott showed sections of caries of teeth prepared by Dr. Baker,
showing the micro-organisms filling the dentinal tubules— also photo-
graphs of the sections coloured to represent the original sections.
Proe. G. CoIvE showed a section of banded Gneiss from Cushendun
Co. Antrim. It has been recognised that some gneisses result from
parallel igneous intrusions. In this case a eurite has formed parallel
veins in what appears to be an altered basalt, and granular crystals of
quartz and felspar from the eurite appear scattered in the latter rock.
Deformation of the mingled rocks, accompanied by re-arrangement and
re-crystallisation of quartz and felspar, has gone on subsequently to
the intrvision.
Mr. M'Ardi^E exhibited specimens of Lejeunca calyptrifolia. Hook., in.
fruit, which he collected last year at Auniscaul, Co. Kerry. On account
of the small size and scarcity of the plant it is rarely met with in this
condition. The perianth is large for the size of the plant, somewhat
campanulate in ovitline, with five projecting angles or teeth at the apex,
which are decurrent to the base. Cal3^ptra spherical, strongly reticulated,
with a stalk or peduncle about twice its length, divided by transverse
septa into a number of tubular-like cells.
Mr. W. N. AivTvEN exhibited a drawing of Scapania aspera, Mull. ,. which
he made from plants collected by Mr. M'Ardleinthe Co. Cavan. The
plate shows a plant the natural size, portion of a branch, magnified
leaves and leaf cells, bracts, perianth with spinose ciliated mouth highly
magnified, a shoot wdtli gemmae at apex of leaves. Mr. Allen also
exhibited a good figure of Metzgeria conjugata (Dill) Lindb., clearly showing
the moncecious character of the plant. These excellent delineations
with others are for Mr. M'Ardle's coming paper on plants collected by
him in the Co. Cavan for the Flora and Fauna Committee of the Royal
Irish Academy.
Professor A. C. Haddon exhibited sections of a small sea-anemone
commensal with a calcareous polyzoon which he had collected in Torres
Straits. The actinian has not yet been determined, but it is probably the
same as that recorded by Prof, W- A, Haswell, in the Proc. L. S., N. S.
Wales, vol. vii., p. 608.
January 17th.— The Club met at Dr. Frazer'S.
Prof. G. C01.E showed the glassy edge of an oliviue-basalt dyke, S. of
Annalong Port, Co. Down. This is a pleasing and transparent example
of basalt passing into brown tachylyte, with very trifling development
of magnetite, so that the glass resembles the modern examples from the
Pacific islands far more than the well-known and darker types from the
western isles of Scotland.
Mr. F". W. Moore showed Ncdria sangtiinea, Fr. This pretty and
interesting species was found growing on a decaying pseudo-bulb of an
unnamed Eriopsis imported fiom Brazil. As seen growing, the colour was
extremely bright, but under the microscope it was much duller. It
belongs to Cook's fourth section '« Denudatse," and is characterised by
having the perithecia ovate in shape, and blood red in colour, the
sporidia being elliptical and colourless.
74 The Irish Naturalist,
Mr. Greenwood Pim exhibited Macrosporium cheiranthi from damp
wall-paper, showing its peculiar muricate spores.
Prof. T. Johnson exhibited Girandia sphacelarioides, a brown alga found
growing on the leaves oi Zostera at Roundstone (Moynes) in Co, Galway.
The plant is recorded from the south coast of England and is an addition
to the Irish marine flora. The peculiar lateral wart-like sori of sporangia
were shown, and Goebel's investigations on the mode of reproduction in
the species were described.
On the same Zosiera leaves were growing plants of Castagnea zostera;, Thin.,
showing plurilociilar zoosporangia. This brown alga was found growing
on the leaves of the marine monocotyledon Zostera at Moynes near
Roundstone, the only known Irish locality. Here it was discovered
fifty years ago by McCalla, and is recorded in Harvey's Phycologia
Britannica under the synonym Mesogloia virescens /3 Zoostericola. The
species is also recorded from the south coast of England and the west
of Ireland.
Mr. McArdIvE exhibited a proliferous form oiLejeimea serpyllifolia^which.
he collected last year in Mr. Hickson's wood at Lispoll, near Auniscaul,
Co. Kerry. The adventitious shoots grew from all parts of the branch.
Under a high magnifying power he showed a portion of the stem and
attached leaf lobule, with young shoots arising from each. The leaves
showed still more remarkable examples of adventitious shoots. The
specimens showed the first stage, the outgrowth of a simple cell from
the margin ; the second stage in which several additional cells were
formed ; a perfect leaf with five adventitious .shoots in various stages of
development, on some the leaves were well marked; and a further stage,
a shoot with three leaves and two perfectly formed stipules or folioles,
and at the attachment of the stem to the old leaf, root hairs ; the contents
of the cells had disappeared, the walls near the attachment showing
disintegration.
Mr. McArdle also exhibited a drawing of five figures demonstrating
the different stages of development of the young plantlets of Lejewiea,
and a proliferous form of Meizgeria conjiigata, a specimen under the micro-
scope showed secondary branching of an adventitious shoot from the
thallus. This uncommon mode of re-production in Lejeimca will form the
subject of an article on the vegetative propagation amongst Hepaticae,
with plate, Avhich will shortly appear in the Irish Naturalist.
Mr. G. H. Carpenter showed a slide (prepared by Mr. J, E. Duerden)
of a hydroid, Boiigainvillia ramosa, in which some of the cups were much
enlarged and thickened, forming a kind of " gall" inhabited by the
parasitic embryo of a Pycno^on. Clinging to the stem of the hydroid
was a larval Nymphon^ but it could not be definitely stated that the
embryos in the cups belonged to the same species. Dohrn and others
have described the embryos of Phoxichilidiiun as sometimes parasitic in
the polyps of Podocoryne.
Dr. M'Weeney showed j5ure cultures and a slide of the Bacillus
diphtheria (Klebs-I^offler) obtained from a diphtheritic membrane sent to
him for bacteriological examination by a Dublin physician. The micro-
organisms were quite typical and were contained in pure cultivation
from the membrane. The patient recovered.
Mr. J. N. HAI.BERT exhibited two very rare Irish beetles, Micropeplus
iesserula, Curt, and Pseudopsis sulcata, Newm., from the collection of Mr. A.
H. Haliday, the former taken in a marsh near Holywood {Entomologist,
vol. I., 1840), the latter also from Holywood, and Avoca. He was in-
duced to bring these forward as both were entirely overlooked as Irish
in Canon Fowler's " British Coleoptera." Judging from the records, both
are rare in England, where Psetidopsis sulcata seems not to have been taken
north of Yorkshire.
Proceedings of Irish Societies. 75
BEI,FAST NaTURAI^ISTS' FiEI^D CI.UB.
January 15.— The President in the Chair.— Mr. Joseph Wright,
F.G.S., stated that a few weeks ago he had visited Divis Mountain in
company with Mr. S. A. Stewart to examine Boulder-cla}', which Mr,
Stewart had observed high up on the mountain exposed in vSections
by the side of a mountain stream. Two gatherings of this clay (about
10 lbs. weight) were made at the height of about 1,300 and 1,400 feet respec-
tively above the sea. These on being microscopically examined were found
to contain two fry of mollusca, one Buccimwi imdatnvi, the other doubtfully
referable to Littorina litomlis, also a foraminifer, Nonionina depressula, and six
ostracoda too young to name with certainty. Through the courtes}- of
Mr. Gray he had also received a few pounds weight of Boulder-clay from
WolthilljSoo feet above the sea. In thissamplewerefoundthreespecimens
oi Nonionina deprcssida. These discoveries are of interest on account of
the great height at which the clay occurs and of the marine organisms
found in it ; foraminifera and ostracoda have not hitherto been recorded
from local Boulder-clay at such high elevations. Some discussion
ensued, in which Messrs. William Gray, M.R.I.A. ; W. Swanston, F.G.vS. ;
J. Templeton, and others took part.
The President then called upon Professor A. C. Haddon, of the Royal
College of Science, Dublin, to deliver his lecture upon "Modern Relics
of Olden Time," which dealt with primitive means of transport, imple-
ments, ornaments and ceremonies which still survive among the
peasantr}^ in Ireland. The lecture was fully illustrated by a representa-
tive series of slides of Irish and foreign subjects, the lantern being worked
by Mr, R. Welch. Messrs W. H. Patterson, Wm. Gray, Richard Patter-
son, and R. Welch having spoken, the wish being expressed that
Professor Haddon would deliver a course of lectures next season under
the auspices of the Club, the President conveyed to the lecturer the best
thanks of the Club. The following new members were then elected ; —
Miss M'Cutcheon, B.A., Messrs. J. M'Clelland Martin, W.J. Stewart, and
Charles J. lyanyon.
BeIvEast Natural, History and Phii^osophicai. Society.
February 5th. — The following papers were read— John MacCormac,
M.D., "Education and Innerv^ation." Illustrated by a special series of
lantern photo-.slides. SeaTON F. Mii,i,igan, M.R.I.A.— " Antiquarian
Collections in Ulster, with special reference to the forthcoming
Exhibition in the L,inen Hall."
Dubinin Naturai^ists' FieIvD Ci,ub.
January 8th. — The Annual Meeting of the Club was held at the Royal
Irish Academy House, the President (G. H. Carpenter, B.Sc.) in the
chair. The Secretary (R. Li^oyd Praeger) read the annual report, of
which the leading features were as follows : — The membership of the
Club stands at 158, having risen by over 25 per cent, during the year.
The summer excursions and winter evening meetings were all carried out
as arranged, and the attendance of members and visitors at them was
satisfactory. The winter session was opened by a conversazione, which
was largely attended. A highly successful three-day excursion was made
to Fernioy and Lismore, in conjunction with the Cork and Linierick
Naturalists' Field Clubs. Very good natural history work was done on
the excursions, the results including the male and female, respectively, of
two animals of which the other sex alone had previously been known,
and a number of plants and animals not hitherto known in Ireland, or
very rare in that country. A successful course of lectures on Botany were
given by Prof. Johnson during the spring. A committee has been
appointed to investigate the flowerless plants of Dublin and Wicklow and
the flowering plants of Wicklow. The Committee have taken part in the
formation of an Irish Field Club Union, the objects of which are to bring
about an increased intercourse between the Clubs, to furnish mutual
76 The Irish Naturalist,
assistance, and to look after matters of general Field Club interest. The
proceedings of the Club have been regularly reported, and selected papers
printed in full, in the Irish Naturalist. The Committee return thanks to
the Royal Irish Academy for the continued loan of their rooms. The
Treasurer (Prof. T. Johnson) subsequently submitted the statement of
accounts, which showed a larger expenditure than usual, which was ex-
plained by the Treasurer. The adoption of the report and accounts was
moved by Prof. A. C. Haddon, M.A., and seconded by Mr, W. F. de V.
Kane, M.A., and passed, after a discussion, in which Mr. J. J. Dowling,
Prof. Cole, Miss Hensman, Mr, J. B, Palmer, the Treasurer, and the Sec-
retary took part; the opinion was generally expressed that so much money
should not be spent on the excursions and conversazione. The President
next declared the officers for 1895, whose names had been submitted to
the last meeting, duly elected, and referred to the regretted departure
from Dublin of 'Mr. J. E- Duerden, a most useful member of Committee.
A vote of thanks to the Royal Irish Academy for the use of their rooms
for the purposes of the winter meetings was proposed by Miss Hensman,
seconded by Mr. J. B- Palmer, and passed. A donation of ^^5 to the funds
of the Irish Naturalist was proposed by Mr. J. J. Dowling and seconded by
Mr. R. P. Vowell. The proposer and seconder spoke in complimentary
terms of the good natural history work which is being done by this journal.
Mr. Kane moved and Mr, M. J. Buckley seconded an amendment that,
instead oi £'S, one-tenth of the gross receipts of the Club for the coming
year should be devoted to the magazine ; this arrangement would slightly
increase the proposed grant. After a discussion, in which Prof. Johnson,
Mr. Dowling, and Prof. Haddon took part, the amendment was,_by per-
mission, withdrawn. Mr. Carpenter,onbehalf of the editorsof the journal,
thanked the Club for their continued support of this enterprise On the
motion of Prof Haddon, seconded by Prof. Cole, a vote of thanks was
given to the Press for their courtesy in reporting the proceedings of the
Club. The following were then elected members of the Club : — E. P.
Farran, Mrs. Merewether, Miss J. Orr, H. J. Seymour.
Mr. R. Lloyd Praeger subsequently exhibited some curious varieties
of the Mistletoe. In one of these the leaves and stem were variegated
with yellow ; in the other the stem divided at each node into four or six
branches, instead of the normal two. Prof. Johnson gave his views on
the origin of this abnormalit3\ Mr. Praeger also showed some remark-
ably overgrown specimens of plants found this year in Ireland.
January 22nd.— The President in the Chair. Mr. Joseph Wright,
F.G.S., of the Belfast Nat. Field Club lectured on " Foraminifera,
Recent and Extinct. " The President, in introducing the lecturer, pointed
out that was the first meeting held in Dublin under the Irish Field Club
Union scheme, one object of which was to arrange for occasional inter-
changes of lecturers among the Irish Clubs, that they might know more
of each other's work. Mr. Wright proceeded with his lecture, which dealt
fully with the classification and structure of the various forms of
Foraminifera, and with their distribution, recent and fossil. The lecture
was illustrated with a large series of diagrams, and with many microsco-
pic slides. A vote of thanks to Mr. Wright was passed on the motion
of Mr. W. S. Green, M.A., H.M. Inspector of Fisheries, seconded by
Prof. Haddon, M.A.
February, 12th. — Prof. C01.E, Vice-President, in the Chair. Mr. H.
K. Gore CuThberT read a paper on ''The Wild Bees of Glencullen,"
which is published in our current issue. Prof. Sofi,i,AS, F.R.S., and
Mr. R. IvEOYD Praeger contributed a paper on the Boulder-clay of
Kill-o'-the Grange. This paper will shortly appear in our pages. In the
discussion on each paper which ensued. Rev. T. B. Gibson, Mr. N. Colgan,
Mr. Cuthbert, Mr. Praeger, Prof. J Johnson, and the Chairman took part.
The following new members were elected : — Richard Burnett, Miss A.
Jellett, Lieut. -Colonel Plunkett, J. R. Redding, Miss A. B. Stack, Miss
Gertrude Webb.
Proceedings of Irish Societies. 77
Limerick Naturai,ists' Fiei<d CIvUB.
Jan. 24th. — Dr. W. A. Fogerty, Vice-President, in the chair. Mr. Joseph
Wright lectured on " Foraminifera, Recent and Fossil," examples being
shown from varying strata— Chalk, Lias, esttiarine, and Boulder clays from
the North ot Ireland, as well as recent specimens dredged in the Atlantic
Ocean on some of the expeditions sent out by the Royal Irish Academj'.
Besides these, the lecture was illustrated by a number of diagrams,
photographic lantern slides, &c., exhibiting the marvellous beauty and
complexit}^ of the shells formed by these very minute creatures. Mr.
Wright's visit to Limerick marks a new departure in Field Club work in
Ireland, he having come here by arrangement with the recently-formed
Field Club Union as representing the Belfast Club, whereby an inter-
change of lectures is to take place occasionally in future amongst the
various Irish Field Clubs. On the motion of Mr. Robert Gibson, a
hearty vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr. Wright for his
interesting lecture.
NOTES
BOTANY.
CHARACE.^.
Irish Characeae. — A Correction. — In Messrs. Groves' paper,
under Nitella Jlexilis (p. 40) " 148. Antrim — Carnlough River. 1892. R.
LI. Praeger " should read " 145, Armagh— Camlough River. 1892.
R. LI. Praeger." The mistake was mine, as I find that on the label
of the specimen submitted to Messrs, Groves, " Antrim " was written by
inadvertence for "Armagh." The fact that I had sent other specimens
from Carnlough, explains the second alteration. .A^. flexilis is still a
desideratum of the flora of North-east Ireland.
R. Lt.oyd Praeger.
PHANEROGAMS.
Second Flowering of Artemisia stelleriana. -Mr. Praeger, in
the Irish Naturalist for November, refers to the interesting fact of this
Artemisia coming twice into flower on the North Bull in the summer of
1894. It may be worth mentioning that it continued to flower into the
second week of December, In the middle of October it was in profuse
bloom, and to the best of my recollection I also saw it in flower in the
autumn of 1S93.
C. B. Moffat, Ballyhyland, Co. Wexford.
Eythraea pulchella on the North Bull. — lean corroborate Mr.
Scully's statement as to this plant's still growing on the North Bulk I
gathered it there last summer, about a mile north of the station given
by Mr. Scully.
R. Li,OYD Praeger.
ZOOLOGY.
mSECTS,
Erebia epiphron, var. casslope, near Sligro. — I am glad
to be able to record the rediscovery of this mountain butterfly in
Ireland. For forty years, since the late Mr. Birchall took " a fine series
in June, 1854 . . . about halfway up Croagh Patrick on the Westport side
in a grassy hollow," no entomologist has seen the species in this countr}-.
The captor of the specimen now recorded is the Rev. R. A. M'Clean,
78 The Irish Naturalist.
late of Sligo, the greater part of whose valuable collection of lepidoptera
has been secured by the Dublin Museum. He informs me that he took
the insect on the edge of a wood at Rockwood near Sligo, at the height
of about a thousand feet, during the summer of last year (1894). A high
wind was blowing at the time, and he believes that the butterfly had
been blown down from higher ground. The specimen is a female
somewhat rubbed, the wings expanding ij inches, and with the fulvous
markings and black spots rather clearer than in most of the British
specimens of var. cassiope in the Museum collection.
As this locality is about fifty miles from the previous station for the
insect (Croagh Patrick, Co. Mayo), we may hope that the species has a
fairly wide distribution among our western mountains, though it is
doubtless excessively local. Like many other alpine insects, it ranges
much further south in Ireland than in Great Britain, where it is known
from the hills of Scotland and Cumbria, but not from those of Wales.
On the continent it is found in the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the
mountains of Hungary, Avhile the type of epiphron occurs in the
mountains of German}^ and northern France.
Geo. H. Carpenter.
Thecia betulae in Co. Wexford. — I owe Mr. Kane an apology for
having quoted him at second hand. It was not in his Catalogue, but in
the resume of the first part of it given in the IrisJi Naturalist for March, that
I saw the distribution of Thecia bet 11 'ae set down (p. 59) as " Munster ;
Co. Galwa3%" I ought to have stated this when writing my note, the
only object of which was to make it clear that the butterfly is not con-
fined to those limits.
C. B. Moffat, Ballyhyland, Co. Wexford.
[We regret that we omitted the Co. Wexford locality for this butterfly
in our review of Mr. Kane's Catalogue. — Eds.]
Coleoptera from Co. Dublin, — Owing to many causes my collec-
tingin Co. Dublin last season was not as successful as I should have wished,
most of my rambles being spoiled as far as entomolog}' was concerned,
by bad weather, and ever3thing considered, insects were in my
experience, not nearly so plentiful as in 1893. Amongst others the
following species were secured in addition to those given in the Ii-ish
Naturalist for September last. Very few of the Geodcphaga were met with,
the only novelty was Patrobius assi/fiilis, Chaud., a local highland form
of P. excavatus taken in a fir plantation, Tibradden, Dublin Mountains,
being a very critical species, Dr. Sharp kindly verified the identification ;
Dyschiriiis salinus appears to be not uncommon on the shore near Sutton,
whilst Homaliiimripariuni was in great numbers undersea-weed in the same
locality. Drotniiis nigriventiis, Portmarnock sand-hills, and in a decayed
tree-stump, Howth ; Taphria nivalis^ Bray river, near Bray. The old
quarries near Raheny that yielded Enochrus bicolor, etc., also produced
three beetles new to me, Lathrobium terminatiim (with yellow spots at apex
of elytra very obsolete, approaching var. iminaciilatti?)i, Fowler.) Qiiedius
inaiirornfns and KhampJu(s flavicornis, the two former were taken in
damp moss at edge of pools and are additions to the Dublin list.
Agabus Sttirmii, Hydroporus erythrocephalusyf'iih. other common water-beetles
were fished from the pools. The Portmarnock and Donabate districts
were tried on more than one occasion. The sand hills lying between the
latter locality and Malahide Point, are very productive ; here an un-
common burying-beetle Nrrodes littoralis with Choleva grandicollis and
other things were shaken out of a dead rabbit. Heliopathes gibbiis and
Otiorrhynchus ovatus occur, and what seems to be a new record for Ireland
in Apion onopordi, Kirby. At Portmarnock Orchestes salicis plentifully off
dwarf Salix growing on the sand-hills, Corticariafiiscula^ Apion seniculuni,A.
hiunidi, A. a:neiij)i, A. radiolus, A. nthiops and Sitones pxmcticollis ; some of
these are not as yet included in our Dublin list. Acalles ptinmdes in moss
from Bray Head. Baryfeithes sulcifrons, Howth. Hype^^a plantaginis, North
Bull ; also a ver}' puzzling Anisotoma which Dr. Sharp considers to be a
Notes, 79
very large specimen oi A. dubia, previously recorded by Professor McNab
from same locality. Otiorrhynchtis ligneus, Alophus triguttattis and
Bradycelhts harpalimis were almost the only species taken during a day's
collecting on the hill near Carrickmines. In an old pond overgrown
with vegetation in the Santry Demense, Bagons alismatis and Poophagns
sisymbrii occurred in numbers. The following species, though unrep-
resented in the Dublin and Wicklow list of 1878, are apparently common
in suitable places, i.e. — Ocypus ater (sea-shore), Qiiedhis setnicsneus (coast sand-
hills), Cercyon flavipes, C. pyginceiis, Conosoma lividiiin, Philonthus piidlus
(Dublin Mountains, etc.), Stemis ossium, S. nitidi us cuius, S. pallitarsus, S.
piibescens, ScydmcBUus collatis, Enicmus transverstts, Corticaria fusaila, C
elongata (Drumcondra), Ceuthorrynchtts inarginatus, C. pimctiger.
Mr. G. lyow collected some Coleoptera at Dundrum including three
uncommon species, i.e. — Omosita discoidea, TrophipJioyjis viercuralis and
Scaphisoina boleii. In the autumn of 1893 I was fortunate in retaking two
local insects, Liosoma ovatului/i, var. collaris, and Laf/iprosana concolor at
Woodlands near Lucan, where the first Irish examples were collected
some years ago by Dr. Power. I have also a specimen of Cholrua agilis,
taken in a damp place at Tibradden in the September of the previous
year. There are probably more noteworthy species in my collection
still awaiting identification, and a few, although named, I should prefer
to get verified before recording.
J. N. Hai^berT, Dublin.
Coleoptera from the North of Ireland.— That successful
observer, Mr. R. Welch of Belfast, was kind enough to send some
Coleoptera collected by him in various localities in the north of Ireland
during the past season. The best thing amongst these was Cercyon
aquatiais, Muls., taken in damp moss on Cave Hill near Belfast. It
has not, I think, been previously noted from Ireland. He also took
on Cave Hill the following species : — Hypera trilineatus, Barypeit/ies
stdcifrous, and Niptus hololaicus. At PORTSAI^ON, Co. Donegal, Anchoinenus
marginaius, Oliorrhynchtis atroapterus., Cneorrhiftus gei/iitiatus, Gastrophysa
polygoni and Serrica brunnea. At Woodburn G1.EN, Co. Antrim, one
specimen of the rather local Choleva agilis and Phccdon tumidulus. Near
BEIvFAST, Alophus triguttatus, Barynotus nicc7-ens, Bruchus atomarius, Exo7nias
areneiforfnis ; and in the People's Park near Belfast, Ccclainbus inipressopunc-
tatus, Philhydrus niariiinius, Deronectes xii-pustulatus, and D. depressus.
J. N. Hai^berT, Dublin.
The Stridulation of Corixa, — The stridulation ot Corixa having
been seldom remarked, I think it may be interesting to relate that nearly
fifty years ago the late Dr. Robert Ball brought under the notice of the
Zoological Section of the British Association at the Cambridge INIeeting,
1845, the fact that Corixa striata produced loud sounds while immersed
in water. Dr. Ball stated that the sounds, which had been heard by
Miss M. Ball a few years previously, had since been heard both by Miss
M. Ball and himself A very interesting and more detailed account of
the observations is given in a note from the original observer and
communicated by Dr. Ball to the Annals and Magazine of Natural History,
1846. Miss M. Ball noticed two distinct sounds, which agrees with INIrs.
Thompson's account of the stridulation of a Corixa {Irish Naturalist,
1894, p. 114). One of the sounds is probably due to the movement of the
teeth on the feet as shown by Mr. G. H. Carpenter {Irish Naturalist,
December, 1S94), but further observations seem necessary to arrive at a
satisfactory explanation of the other sound, which Miss M. Ball states to
be accompanied by a movement of the body from side to side.
A. R. Nichols, Dublin.
[I am very grateful to my friend Mr. Nichols for having discovered
this early Irish observation on the stridulation of Corixa. Like Mrs.
Thompson, and Dr. Schmidt-Schwedt, as quoted in my paper. Miss
So The h'isJi Naturalist.
Ball observed the motion of the front feet across the face to accompany
the chirping ; she suggests that possibly the transverse ridges on the
face have a part in producing the note. The edge of the face seems,
however, more probably the part concerned, as it would be more easily
reached by the feet than would the front. — G.H.C.]
MOLLUSCS.
Testacella haliotldea, F. Big., in Co. Dublin.— Mr. Burbidge
recently discovered this species in one of the greenhouses of Trinity Col-
lege Botanic Gardens. The difference in the shell between T. haliotidea
and T. scuiuht/n is so slight that an anatomical examination is necessary
for a diagnosis of the species. As I was able to convince myself, this
specimen is undoubtedly T. haliotidea, so that we have in it an addition to
the fauna of Go. Dublin. Hitherto this species had been known only
from Youghal, Cork, and Bandon.
R. F. SCHARFi^, Dublin.
MAMMALS.
Irish Rat (IVIus hibernicus Thomps.) at Lougrh Brickiand,
Co. Down. — Having been told that black rats lived in some fields on
the north margin of Lough Brickland, which is close to my glebe house,
I offered a reward for one, but none turned up in the course of several
years. However, to-da}-, 5th February, 1895, when some members of ni}'
family were returning from skating on the above lough a black rat, a
male, was found on the road near their reputed haunt. It was just dead
and bore no marks of how it had lost its life. Having been brought to
me, I now enclose it.
H. W. Lett,
Aghaderg, lyougbrickland.
GEOLOGY.
On Saturday evening, 12th January, Prof. G. A.J. Cole commenced his
second course of geological lectures delivered under the auspices of the
Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. In spite of exceptionally inclement
weather there was a large attendance. We hear that the number of ap-
plications for the practical class which is held after each lecture has been
in excess of the available accommodation.
Kitchen lYIiddens of Donegal. — I think Mr. Kinahan and Mr.
Welch have not observed my first and second reports to the Royal Irish
Academy on " Pre-historic Remains from the Sandhills of the Coast of
Ireland," read T4th January, 1889, and i2tli January, 1891. In these I
report pottery from pre-historic sites at Buncrana, Dunfanaghy, Bunbeg, y^
and Bundoran. I have since found pottery at Ballyness and Portsalon. ^
W. J. Knoavi.KS, Ballymena,
Kitchen IVIIddens of Antrim.— Among the various remains from
the pre historic sites of Co. Antrim I reported to the Royal Irish Academy
in January, 1891, the finding of bones of the Great Auk. I have since
fonnd some more bones of that bird, which leads me to believe that it
was a native of the north of Ireland when the people of the stone age
lived there. I have not seen any notice of this find in the Irish Naturalist.
W. J. Knowlks, Ballymena.
Glacial Deposits of Dublin and Bray. — In the Proc. Liverpool
Geol. Soc. (Vol. vii., pp. 183-206), Mr. T. Mellard Reade has an interesting
paper on observations on the glacial deposits around Dublin, made
during a visit in the summer of 1893. The conclusions which Mr. Reade
has come to regarding the origin of these beds have been already set
forth in a paper which he contributed to the Irish Naturalist (1894, pp.
1 17-121, 150-153). The paper is illustrated by some excellent sketches and
diagrams.
Irish Naturai^ist, Voi,. IV.j
[Pirate 3.
ADVENTITIOUS SHOOTS ON LIVERWORTS.
I, 2. Metzgeria conjtigata. 3—7- Lejeunea serpyllifolia.
Vol. IV. APRII., 1895. No. 4.
ADVENTITIOUS BRANCHING IN I.IVKRWORTS.
BY DAVID M*ARDI,K.
(Read before the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, March 12th, 1895).
Vkgktativk propagation amongst Hepatics is well demon-
strated by some of the species which are of frequent occurrence
in Ireland, and good examples are to be seen in plants of both
frondose and foliose groups. Marchayitia and Luyiularia have
special receptacles on the upper side of the frond or thallus
called gemmae- cups, from the floor of which cellular papillae
arise, which grow into flat or spherical stalked bodies, the
gemmae. In Lunularia the rim of the cup is partial or
crescentic. In Marchantia, on the contrary, it is complete.
The escape of the gemmae is facilitated by club-shaped hairs
which grow between them. The cell-walls of these hairs are
mucilaginous, swell up and force the gemmae out of the
receptacle, when, under favourable circumstances, each one is
capable of producing a perfect plant.
In the genus Blasia these receptacles are flask-shaped ; the
gemmae, floating in a transparent mucilaginous substance, are
often found at this early stage furnished with a single root-hair
before emerging from their mucous receptacle.
The smallest portion of the frond oi Marchantia or Ltcmdaria
broken off and placed in a favourable position, will grow. I
have divided a number of plants of "the rare Codojiia Ralfsii,
Gott (frequently cultivated at Glasnevin) bypassing the sharp
blade of a knife through them as they grew ; after a few days
I gently moved these parts a little distance and added soil
between them, watered and covered the pot in which they
were growing with a bell-glass, and in no instance did they
show any bad effects from this treatment, but grew on rapidly
and bore fruit.
In the genus Metsgeria adventitious shoots frequently grow
from the margin and other parts of the frond, notably in
A
82 The Irish Naturalist.
Metzgeria conjugata of which a small portion is shown magnified
in Plate 3, fig. i, bearing copious adventitious shoots. In fig.
2, secondary branching of an adventitious shoot is shown.
The normal branches of the plant proceed from the pseudo-
nerve.
Through the genera Btasia and Pellia^^ have the transition
to the foliose group, which is well shown in Pellia calyci^ia
and the variable Riccardia multifida. These plants are found
growing in large patches in damp places, increasing year after
3^ear by innovations, or young growths. Often a patch is
found crisped and apparently dead in dry weather, but on close
examination a few green shoots will be observed nourished by
the detritus of the mother-plant ; these shoots are sufficient to
reproduce the species.
Amongst the foliose group, in the genera Ka?itia and
Ccphalozia we have examples of the gemmae borne on the apex
of attenuated branches. In Cephalozia Fjnncisci and C. denu-
data, they are copious and remarkable, of a bright yellow colour
when mature ; in Kantia they form bright pellucid clusters of
a brilliant green or yellow colour at the apex of the branches,
leaves, &c. Dr. Spruce very aptly calls these bodies
"propagula." Of leaf-gemmae we have familiar instances in
Jitngermania incisa and J. veiitricosa and species in the genus
Scapania. In Radiila compla7iata and Madotheca platyphylla
we have examples of simple cells becoming detached as gemmae
from the margin of the leaves. Dr. Spruce records' an instance
of shoots or branchlets growing from the leaves oi Jurigermaiiia
juniperina, which he collected at Cromaglown, Killarne}^ when
on a visit to Dr. Taylor. This interesting notice is illustrated
by a woodcut showing two leaves with a branchlet on
each.
In his exhaustive work on the Hepaticae of the Amazon and
Andes, Dr. Spruce notices the disintegration of the marginal
cells in the genus Plagiochila ; the loosened cells hang awhile
in little masses, then fall away, and are dispersed, some to
renew their growth as distinct individuals. Sir William
Hooker in his grand work on the British j2cngcrma7ii(B mentions
a few species, now in the genus Lejeimea, on which he found
gemmae, and these appeared to be produced on their stems.
^ Phytologist, vol, ii., 1845, p. 85.
A dven titious Branching in L iverworts. 83.
lyast year I collected Lejeunea serpyllifolia in Mr. Hickson's
wood at lyispoll near Auniscaul, Co. Kerry, and when exaniin-
ingthe plant on the table of a dissecting microscope, I was struck
with the unusual and abnormal branching of one of the
specimens, and I proceeded to ascertain the cause of it. From
copious material, I found that these shoots or branchlets came
from all sides of the stem and elsewhere. Figure 3 represents
a portion of the stem and attached leaf-lobule, with young
shoots arising from each. The leaves of the plant exhibited
still more remarkable examples of adventitious shoots. Figure
4 shows the first stage of growth. It is from a portion of a
leaf-margin highly magnified, and shows these shoots to be
outgrowths of a simple cell. I noticed that the cells in these
proliferous plants were more than usually chlorophylliferous.
Figure 5 shows a further stage of development. Figure 6
shows a leaf of Lejeunea serpyllifolia with six adventitious
shoots, in some of which the leaves are well marked. Figure
7 shows further development of a leaf-shoot with three leaves
and two perfectly formed stipules, and, at the base of the stem
a couple of root-hairs. The contents of the cells in the old leaf
have disappeared, the walls near the attachment of the plantlet
are beginning to disintegrate, and very shortly it would become
independent from the mother-plant.
The delegation of rooting apparatus called the flagellae to
leafy branchlets, which occurs in some liverworts, is
remarkable. These flagellae enable the plants to fix them-
selves firmly where they grow, and assist them to resist
drought or to start off on a separate existence and continue
the life of the parent plant. That the reproduction of the
species of Lejeimea by adventitious shoots is an unusual
occurrence amongst those which grow in Ireland, there
can be no doubt. I have examined .many specimens from all
parts of the country during a number of 3^ears, and have not pre-
viously found the vegetative budding in Lejeunea as now
described.
This mode of reproduction is important in a marked degree,
as occurring in a genus of which we have tropical and sub-
tropical species growing in Ireland, and is favourable to the
views held by my late excellent friend, Dr. Spruce, in his
treatise on an Irish Lejetmea^ : — " No existing agency is
1 "On Lejeunea Holtii from Killarney." jottrnal of Bot., vol. xxv., 1887
p. 72.
A 2
$4 The Irish Naturalist,
capable of transporting the germs of our hepatics of tropical
type, from the torrid zone to Britain, and I venture to suppose
that their existence at Killarney dates from the remote
period when the vegetation of the whole northern hemisphere
partook of a tropical character."
My own recent discovery of Radula vohita by the shores of
I,ough Cultra in the County Cavan, remote enough from
Killarney, its only other Irish habitat, further strengthens the
opinion held by this gifted observer. My specimens received
a searching examination at the hands of Mr. M. B. Slater,
F.i,.s. The late Professor lyindberg considers that the
Killarney plant is identical with specimens of Radida
Xalapensis, a native of Mexico (New Granada), also found at
Tullulah Falls, Georgia, United States. The late Dr. D.
Moore in his excellent work on the Irish Hepaticse^ agrees
with lyindberg and calls the plant Radula Xalape7isis.
EXPI^ANATION OF Pl,ATE 3.
Fig. I. Metzgeria conjugata, with adventitious shoots, x 150.
Fig. 2. Metzgeria conjugata, showing adventitious shoots with secondary
branching, x 150.
Fig. 3. Lejetmea serpyllifolia^ portion of stem and attached leaf-lobule with
young shoots, x 250.
Fig. 4. Lejmnea serpyUifolia, portion of leaf-margin showing first stage in
growth of shoot, x 700.
Fig. 5. Lejetmea serpyllifolia, further stage of growth, x 750.
Fig. 6. Lejeunea serpyllifolia, leaf with six adventitious shoots, x 250.
Fig. 7. Lejeiinea serpyllijolia^ leaf shoot with leaves, stipules, and root
hairs, x 400.
^ Royal Irish Academy Proc. (2) Vol. ii., 1876.
t 85 ]
jm
IRISH MAMMAI.S.
BY G. E;. H. BARRBTl'-HAMII.TON, B.A.
{Concluded /rom page 72).
To the synonyms of the Otter Mr. I^ydekker^ might have
added Lutra Roensis, a name given by Ogilby to the Irish
Otter, chiefly on account of its beautiful dark fur. Some other
IrivSh mammals have, at one time or other, been described as
distinct species, e.g., the lycsser Shrew, as Sorex hibernicuSy by
Jenyns,^ the Hare and the Rat, but the two latter are mentioned
by Mr. I^ydekker. These names are of at least sufficient
interest to Irish naturalists to deserve a passing notice.
Another point not touched upon by Mr. lyydekker in regard
to the Otter is its weight. In stating also that the female
gives birth to her young '' in the month of April or March " he
appears to have overlooked a paper, written by Mr. T.
Southwell, 4 wherein the writer endeavours to show that in
England the Otter almost invariably breeds in winter, but this
does not seem to apply so well to Ireland, where young Otters
have been met with in most of the summer months^ As far
as we are aware there is at present only one recognised pack
of Otter Hounds in Ireland, that of Mr. W. C. Yates, who
hunts parts of the Counties of Wexford and Wicklow, where
Otters are very plentiful.
The last of the terrestrial carnivora treated of by Mr.
lyydekker is the Bear, Ursus arctos, which, though said to have
been exterminated in Great Britain in the historical period,
does not appear to have survived so long in Ireland.^
Of the marine carnivora (pp. 142-164) the undoubtedly Irish
species are the Great Grey Seal {Halichoerus grypus) and the
Common Seal {Phoca vitulind). No other species can as yet
with certainty be admitted to our list of mammals, although it
^ Allen's Naturalists' Library, edited by R. Bowdler Sharp, LJ^.D.,
F.Iv.S., etc. ; A Handbook to the British lYIammalia, by R.
Lydekker, B.A., F.R.S., V.P.G.S., etc., London ; W. H. Allen & Co.,
Limited, 13, Waterloo-place, S.W., 1895. Price 6s.
^ P.Z.S., 1834, iii. ^ Annals of Nat. History, 1838.
* Zoologist, 1888, p. 248. ^ Irish Sportsman, July 9th and 30th, 1892.
6 V. Ball, Sci. Trans. Royal Dublin Society (2), vol. iii., pp. 334-5.
86 The Irish Naturalist.
is possible that the Harp Seal {P. grcenlandicd) and the
Hooded Seal {Cystophora cristaia) have occurred (pages 158
and 160).
Pages 164 to 232 of Mr. Lydekker's work are devoted to the
important order of the Rodentia, first among which we come
to the Squirrel {Sciu7'tis imlgaris), and here we miss an
allusion to Mr. R. M. Barrington's paper on the distribution of
the Squirrel in Ireland,' an important paper, which should
not have been passed over, though, since it was written,
Squirrels, which have been introduced in many parts of the
country, have considerably increased their range. On the
changes of the colour of the Squirrel at different times of the
year, Mr. L3^dekker quotes Macgillivray and Bell. A series of
skins all collected at the same place and for each month of
the year shows us, how^ever, that we cannot, like the former
naturalist, lay down any fixed rule as to the exact time of
year when the changes will occur. Probably the Squirrel
moults twice in the year — roughly speaking, in spring and
autumn, and before each moult the old coat becomes thin and
faded, but we can lay down no special time for such change to
take place — indeed some vSpecimens received during the late
frost were already losing their winter coat. It follows from
the amount of individual variation shown that the light
cream-coloured tail may be observed at almost all times of the
year, and this we have actually found to be the case. The
statements of Bell- notwithstanding, w^e have notes of having
seen Squirrels with cream-coloured tails in March, May, June,
July, August, and December. The assertion that " the
female produces three or four young ones about mid-summer"
appears to have been adopted from Bell,^ and we must refer
our readers to notes^ of newly-born Squirrels found in the
second week of February, and in March. We ourselves have
seen quite young and blind Squirrels taken from the nest on
August 14th, 1891, in Ireland — a fact w^hich, perhaps, indicates
the birth of two lots of 3^oung in the }'ear.
Passing over the Beaver, the Dor-mouse, and the Harvest-
mouse, which species do not appear to have ever occurred in
^ Proc. R.I. A , n.s. vol. ii., 1880.
2 " Hist, of British Quadrupeds," (Ed. ii.), p. 279.
8 Op. cit. p. 278. * Field, March 6th, 1886. Zoologist, March, 1891.
Irish Mani77ials. 87
Ireland, we come to the L,ong- tailed Field-mouse {Mus
sylvaticus), which Mr. Lydekker not inappropriately calls the
Wood-mouse, to distinguish it from the Voles, which are
usually known as "Field-mice." Among the characters
of this species which distinguish it from the House-mouse are
the mammae, which number six, as opposed to ten in M2is
viusculus. The tail of this species is often quite as long as, or
longer than, the head and body, and the skull is distinguish-
able from that of the House-mouse.
Mr. I^ydekker includes in his work a supposed species of
Mouse, recently added to the British list by Mr. W. K.
De Winton,' viz., the Yellow-necked Mouse {Mus flavicollis of
Melchior). Although we do not wish to judge too hastily of
Mr. De Winton's discovery, we are inclined to think that this
supposed species is merely a very fine and handsome variety ^of
M. sylvaticus, and we question Mr. I^ydekker's wisdom in
hastening to include it in the British list. Mr. De Winton's
characters laid down for this Mouse seem to us to be very
insufficient, considering that it occurs everywhere with AIus
sylvaticus ; although the case might, we admit, be different
were the geographical area inhabited by Mus flavicollis clearly
defined. We are indebted to Mr. De Winton for kindly per-
mitting us to examine his fine series, and we have carefully
compared them with those of specimens in our own collection,
and we confess that we cannot see where Mus sylvaticus ends
and M, flavicollis begins.
The Black Rat {Mus rattus), says Mr. lyydekker, quoting from
Mr. J. K- Harting, "must now be regarded as very rare" in
Ireland. In fact it may be said to be confined entirely to the
seaport towns, the Black Rats which are recorded from inland
localities having invariably in our experience proved to be
examples of Thompson's M21S hibernicus. We have seen
specimens of the true Black Rat taken in recent years at
Waterford and Belfast, but its presence at these towns is by
no means constant, and appears to be entirely due to its having
been brought there, sometimes in numbers, by foreign ships.
The variety known as Mus Alexafidrifius has been taken in
a corn ship at Belfast, and a specimen is in the Museum of that
city.= As regards the introdiiction of the Black Rat into
1 Zoologist, Dec, 1894, p. 441. * Irish Sportsman^ Dec. 19th, 1891.
88 The Irish Naturalist.
Britain from the Continent, which, we are told, " appears to be
evident from the circumstance that it is not mentioned as
occurring here previous to the fifteenth century, coupled with
the fact that its remains are unknown in English cavern
deposits," we very much doubt the application of this state-
ment to Ireland, since Rats are certainly mentioned in Irish
literature of much older date than the fifteenth century.
Those who are curious on this subject would do well to con-
sult Mr. David Comj^n's ''Irish Illustrations to Shakespeare "
(p. 2i), recently published at the Ficemafi's Ofiice, in Dublin,
where will be found much interesting information on this
matter, as well as on the ancient Irish custom of rhyming
Rats to death. ' The whole subject takes up more space than
is at our disposal if gone into thoroughly, and we must con-
tent ourselves with merely mentioning that Rats are alluded to
by Giraldus Cambrensis' as having existed in Ireland in the
6th century.^ Other allusions in Irish literature seem to show
the existence of the common House-mouse in Ireland in very
early times, and the date of its introduction, if it was
introduced, is certainly shrouded in mystery.
The Rat described by William Thompson in 1837 as Mus
hibernicus is rightly placed by Mr. Lydekker under Mus
decumanus as a variety of that species. Since the paper'*,
in which that conclusion was finally come to, was written, we
have been able to amass a great deal of additional information,
all of which strengthens the position there taken up.
Specimens have been examined which were intermediate in
coloration between Mus hibernicus and Mus deciwiajiuSy and
an interesting family of rats which was brought to our notice
through the kindness of Mr. D. R. Pack Beresford, of
Bagnalstown, Co. Carlow, consisted of an old female Mus
decumanus and ten young ones, eight of which were Mus
decumanus and two Mus hibernicus (one of the latter having the
typical white breast-spot). In addition to the specimens
alluded to in the above paper, we have now examined
specimens from the following additional Irish counties, viz. :
^ Vide, " As you Like it." Act iii., Sc, 2.
'^ Top. D. Z., c. 6, and in other places.
8 Vide also "The Proceedings of the Great Institute," published in
i860 by the Ossianic Society.
* Zoologist^ 1891, p. I.
Irish Mavimals. ^9
— Monaghan, Wicklow, and Tipperary. Its occurrence in
England has also been proved in I^undy Island' ; in Surrey^
at Norwich^ ; almost certainly at I^ittle Whelnetham, in
Suffolk-*, and quite recently at Cambridge. In Scotland it
has occurred in North Uist^
Passing over the Voles (pp. 201-219), which do not occur in
Ireland, we come to the Rabbits and Hares, and here Mr.
I^ydekker must be commended for his support of a change in
nomenclature, which, though certain to prove inconvenient
at first to those who have used the older names, is undoubtedly
a right one, viz. : — Lepus europcsus, Pallas, for the Common
Hare of England, instead of Lepus timidus of many authors,
and Lepus timidus, lyinnseus (formerly applied wrongly to the
preceding species) instead of Lepus variabilis, Pallas, for the
Mountain Hare (the common Hare of Ireland) the reasons for
which are given on page 222. As Mr. I^ydekker has given
an introduced species such as the Fallow-deer a place among
our Irish mammals, he might have alluded to the fact that
English Hares have more than once been introduced into
Ireland, though we are not aware that any of the introductions
have as yet proved a success. The introduced species is said
to keep apart from the Irish Hare and to make no attempt
to interbreed with it ; and in most of the instances which have
come under our notice it has died out unless protected. Some
instances of the introduction of English Hares into Ireland
will be found collected^ where will also be found other notes
on the Irish Hare, but the list is by no means perfect, and we
possess notes of several other instances. Irish Hares have
several times been introduced into Great Britain and have
done well, notably at Vaynol, in North Wales^ and in Islay,
off Argyleshire% where they are stated to have been dis-
tinguishable from the Scotch Hare."
^ Irish NaUiralist, September, 1892.
^ Zoologist, February, 1893, p. 103.
8 Described as hybrids in Zoologist, Sept., 1889.
* Field, Jan. 24, 1891.
^ Annals of Scottish Natural History^ April, 1891, p. 134.
'° Irish Sportsman, September 19, 1891.
' Field, August I, 1 891.
^ Thompson's " Natural History of Ireland ".
A3
90 The Irish Naturalist.
The Mountain Hare {Lepus tiviidus, Linn.) comes in for a
very moderatel}^ liberal treatment at Mr. Lj^dekker's hands,
and we could add considerably to his account of this species
did space permit us. We must, however, be content to point
out a few things which seem to have escaped Mr. Lydekker's
attention. Thus, there is no allusion to the weight of this
animal, which, according to Mr. J. E. Harting,^ in Scotland
averages " probably between 5 lbs. and 6 lbs. ; the heaviest I
have noticed weighed 7J lbs." In the South of Ireland we
have found the average weight of the hares to agree very much
with the above, but we have weighed hares in January (does)
which turned the scale at 9 lbs. and ()\ lbs. Doubtless the fact
that they were lowland hares had something to do with it.
Although we have weighed hares which were heavier than
these, we cannot at this moment find the note we made of it.
It is certainly wrong to say of this Hare, as far as concerns
Ireland at least, that ** instead of making a ' regular form' it
skulks among stones or in the clefts of rocks, or hides among
the heather or fern. " In the lowlands at least of Ireland this
Hare makes a regular form, and in this and some other
respects seems to have almost entirely adopted the habits of
the English Hare.
The date of the supposed introduction of the Rabbit into
Ireland seems to be completely a matter of conjecture, but
the animal would appear to have been well established during
all the historical period. In 1741 Rabbit's fur was one of the
exports of the city of Cork."" As regards the weight of wild
Rabbits (a point not touched upon by Mr. Lydekker), we may
refer to a note by Mr. Harting.^ In Irish Rabbits there does
not seem to be any difference in weight from that of those
killed in England.
That the Red-deer, now confined as a wild animal to Kerry,
was once widely distributed over Ireland, is proved by the
numerous discoveries of its bones over the island, and by the
historical allusions. An interesting paper on this species
appeared in 1882, written by Mr. R. J. Ussher.'* This is the
^ Field, September 5, 1891. ^Journal Cork Arch. Soc, 1893, p. 392.
^ Field, Dec. 3, 1892. ^ Zoologist, March, 1882.
Irish Mammals. 91
only species of Deer now found in a wild state in Ireland,
the Reindeer being long extinct, and the Fallow-deer an
introduced species.
Of the Cetaceans, or Whales, Dolphins, and their allies (pp.
257 to 298) Mr. Lydekker has not very much to say, and he
has evaded the trouble of looking up accounts of the habits
and life-history of these interesting mammals by the use of
sentences such as the following (applied in this case to the
Sperm Whale (p. 276), but similar sentences will be found on
pages 259, 261, 265) ; — '* In the case of such a casual visitor to
our shores it will be unnecessary to say anything about
habits" ! Time will not permit us to go through the whole
list of Irish Cetaceans in detail, and we must be content with
regretting that we found no allusions in Mr. Lydekker's book
to several recent records of the occurrences of Cetaceans on
the Irish coast, such as of the Hump-backed Whale {Megaptera
boops) in Sligo' ; of Sibbald's Rorqual {Balcsnoptera Sibbaldt)
in Wexford^ these two examples being the first and only
one of their species which have been recorded from Ireland ;
of the Lesser Rorqual {B. rostrata) in Kerry^ ; of the Sperm
Whale {Physeter macrocephahcs) in Mayo'^ ; of the Bottle-nose
{Hyperoodon rostrafus) in Wexford"^ ; and of the White-sided
Dolphin at Portrush^ and Co. Wexford^
Far the best part of this book is the account of the ancient
Mammals of Britain (pp. 298 to 328), but this, as we learn
from a foot-note, is not new, having originally appeared in
Knoivledge. In connection with the Gigantic Irish Deer, Mr.
I^ydekker might have alluded to the evidence in favour of the
view that this animal was contemporaneous with man as
afforded by the discovery by Mr. R. J. Ussher of its long bones,
split as though for the extraction of marrow, in connection
with stone implements in Ballynamintra Cave, Co. Waterford.^
In conclusion, we regret that we cannot recommend Mr.
lyydekker's book as one which may take the place of Bell's
1 Zoologist, May, 1883, p. 188. - Zoologist, 1891, pp. 215 and 306.
3 Irish Sportsman, Dec. 19, 1891. * Zoologist, 1890, p. 72.
5 Zoologist (loc. cit.) 6 Zoologist, 1876, p. 5007.
' Zoologist, 1890, p. 3S4. 8 S(i. Trans. R.D.S. (2), vol- iii., pp. 337-8.
92 The Irish Naturalist.
'* British Quadrupeds," a worthy successor of which has yet
to be written. One thing we can commend him for is his
refusal to introduce into his work the S co77iber sco77iber ^rinci^XQ,
whereby, according to Dr. Bowdler Sharpe (vide Preface) " the
correct title of the Badger should be Meles vieles (ly.) ; of the
Otter, Ltctra lutra (ly.) ; of the Roe-deer, Capreolus capreolus
(L-) ; of the common Porpoise Phoccz7ia phoccc7ia (ly.), and of
the Killer, Orca orca (I..) " !
NOTES ON THE IRISH CAVES.
BY R. J. USSHER, J. P.
Referring to Dr. Scharffs paper on Irish Caves in the Irish
Naturalist for March (p. 57), I am delighted that he has called
attention to this subject, for there is no reason why this
country, so rich in limestone, should not contain hoards of
remains of extinct animals in its cavern-deposits like other
countries, and like the two caves in this district (Dungarvan
and Blackwater) at Shandon and Ballynamintra, whose animal
remains have been reported on.' Dr. ScharfPs object in com-
mencing a list of caves is evidently with a view to future
searches in them for similar finds. It is well therefore to
bear in mind that limestone caves alone have the property of
preserving animal relics, and that it is vain to search caves in
other rocks for them. Nor are all limestone caves by any
means suitable places. Those that are large and open, such
as are most likely to be known and visited, are as a rule un-
promising, as well as those which contain a quantity of soft,
wet cave-earth, for there the drip is too copious and rapid to
form stalagmite.
Nor again, can we hope for results from caves which, like
those near Mitchelstown, have been until recently inaccessible
from without, however intricate and extensive they may be.
* Trans. RL Irish Academy^ vol. xxvi., part v., pp. 187-230,
Notes 071 the Irish Caves. 93
The lucky cave is one which having in past ages been open,
and having become the resort of animals or primeval men,
has received their remains as its deposits were being formed,
and having entombed them beneath a stalagmite floor which
formed over them, has remained undisturbed until the present
time.
Such a cave may now be wholly or partially choked.
Thus when I discovered the Ballynamintra Cave and com-
menced to open it with Professor I^eith Adams it was filled to
within six inches of its roof with the strata which represented
the several chapters in its history. It was then difficult to
realize that we had found an orifice of any importance. I have
recently had the pleasure of rearranging, with the permission
of Dr. Ball, the collections from this cave in their new case in
the annexe of the Science and Art Museum, Dublin. But it
contains only a fragment of our pre-historic records. Bone-
caves should be brought to light north, south, east, and west
in Ireland. Not only caves but pitfalls (pits, and vertical
fissures in limestone) may contain stores of bones of extinct
animals. A series of such caves were explored by Professor
Leith Adams in Malta and yielded exuviae of very specialized
animals, e.g., the Pigmy Elephant.
In many cases the roofs of our caves and rock-shelters have
been quarried away, and the fossiliferous strata have probably
been left undisturbed beneath the quarry rubbish. I have
heard of quarry men saying ** When we came to the dirt we
stopped," such dirt as would repay the most careful and
laborious examination.
It does not follow from what I have said that the presence
of stalagmite is essential to the preservation of bones. The
remains of Irish Klk in the refuse-heap of the early hunters at
Ballynamintra were not covered with stalagmite, but were in
limestone soil dry enough to prevent the bones from decom-
posing. Still, a floor of stalagmite is the greatest safeguard to
fossil bones beneath it, not only preserving them beautifully,
but affording a guarantee that the newest object beneath it is
more ancient than the oldest object above it.
In proceeding to dig out such deposits, the most careful
records must be kept of the exact position of each object, for
unless the sequence of events is recorded, the history of the
cave is broken up like the mixed letters in a spelling game,
▲ 4
94 ^^^^ Irish Naturalist.
while the whole value of the fossils in most cases depends on
the connection in which thej- are found and the objects with
which they are associated. Accordingly, when a cave rich in
suitable deposits is found, competent aid should be obtained
in the removal of its contents.
In the Report on the remains referred to above^ the follow-
ing caves, not referred to by Dr. ScharfF, are mentioned : —
Co. Waterford.
1. (i, Ordnance Sheet 31). An additional cave at Shandon, which
proves to be very extensive, and by no means quarried away, as believed
when the above paper was written.
2. (10, Sheet 30) Coolanav Cave, named Ooanagoloor, a vast cavern.
3. (12, Sheet 30), Kilgreany Cave, at Mrs. Williams's farm.
4. (16, Sheet 30), Bridgequarter, a cave north of Condon's house.
5. (20, Sheet 30) Bridgequarter, cave in Whitechurch House Demesne.
6-9. (23-26, Sheet 29), Bewley, four caves near the Dun of Bewley.
Particulars, with a map showing the position of these caves,
is given in the above paper, and the numbers in brackets
denote the several caves on that map. Several others are
mentioned but need not be quoted in connection with an
enquiry into the number and position of caves likely to yield
a subterranean terrestrial fauna or the remains of extinct
animals.
10. (Sheet 30) Ballynamintra Middle. In the rock called Carrigmurrish
I discovered an extensive system of cave-galleries since the above report
was written. The letter " B " on the map would correspond with the
position of this spot.
Cave at Ballymote, Co. Sllg-o.— With reference to my note on the
Irish Caves in last month's Irish NatiiraUst, Dr. V. Ball mentioned to me
that Mr. Somerset Ward had found a portion of a Bear's skull in a cave
near Ballymote, County Sligo, in 18S7.
R. F. SCHARFF, Dublin.
Additional Irish Caves. — Having read Dr. Scharff's paper in the
Irish Naturalist for March, I send the names of one or two not mentioned
in his list : —
Co. Cork. Anua-Clogh, Mallow, Archceologia, 1806. Carrigacrump, near
Cloyne, stated in Windele's " Cork " to be of great interest, Pooleen
Caves, four miles west of Berehaven, also mentioned in Windele's
"Cork."
Co. Kerry. Ballybunion. — W. Ainsworth, Dublin, 1834.
James Coi^Eman, Southampton.
^ Explorations in the Bone Cave of Ballynamintra, near Cappagh, Co.
Waterford, by Leith Adams, G. H. Kinahan, and R. J. Ussher. Trans,
Royal Dublin Society (2), vol. i. 1881, pp. 177-226.
[ 95 ]
REPORT ON INSECTS COIvI^ECTED AT COOIvMORE,
CO. DONEGAI,,
FOR THE ROYAI, IRISH ACADKMY FI,ORA AND FAUNA
COMMITTKE, JUI.Y, 1894.
BY RKV. W. F. JOHNSON, M.A., F.EJ.S.
As I described Cool more and the surrounding district in my
last report,' I need not repeat the description. This year I
made expeditions to some neighbouring localities, those
visited being Bruckless, Coxtown, Mervagh, and Templenew.
Bruckless is on the opposite side of the bay to Coolmore and
about four miles from Killybegs. The shore there is very
different from that at Coolmore, the sand being replaced by
coarse gravel and large boulders. It did not prove a very
productive locality, though I obtained some nice specimens
there. Coxtown is near the town of Donegal. I spent two
afternoons there, and the grounds produced some interesting
specimens, chiefly by beating Oak trees. Mervagh is near
Ballintra on the lower course of the river that flows through
that town. I was particularly anxious to visit it, as I had, last
year, taken Siagara minutissima there, and wished to obtain
more. My kind friend, the Rev. John Hamilton, of Coolmore,
drove Mrs. Johnson and myself over to the spot. The afternoon
turned out wet ; however being equipped with waterproofs
we faced the weather, and were rewarded by capturing a large
number of Siagara as well as some other insects. The
Siagara were confined to one spot at the edge of the river,
and seemed to rest on the mud at the bottom. Templenew
is about two miles from Beleek on the River Erne. On a
former occasion I had tried the river and found it barren of
insects, so I turned my attention ta other parts, and in a pond
took Donacia crassipes and D. versicolorea.
On the day after my arrival at Coolmore the beach was
strewn with numbers of insects. Where these came from I
cannot tell, though it seemed most probable that they came
from the opposite side of the bay, having been blown across
by the strong north-west wind which prevailed at the time.
I sugared diligently, but it was not a success, and melanic
forms were entirely absent. I<ast year matters were quite the
reverse, sugar was most productive, and dark forms abounded.
* Irish Nat.f vol, iii., 1894, p. 83.
96 The Irish Naturalist.
In spite, however, of these drawbacks, I obtained a goodly
number of Lepidoptera, among them some *' micros," most of
which I picked up on a patch of meadow on the verge of the
cliflf.
The total number of insects collected amounted to 353
species, exclusive of some unidentified Diptera, &c. They
comprise —
Coleoptera, 220 species ; new to district, 126 species.
Hemiptera, 22 „ „ 14 „
Hymenoptera, 4 „ „ 2 „
Lepidoptera, 87 „ „ 60 „
Neuroptera, 18 „ „ 13 „
Orthoptera, 2 ,,
I am indebted to Dr. D. Sharp, Mr. C. G. Barrett, Mr. K.
Saunders, and Mr. J. Edwards for kind assistance in identifying
insects with which I was not acquainted.
I subjoin a detailed list, with notes, of those insects which
are now recorded from the district for the first time. It will
be seen that several are new to Ireland.
COLEOPTERA.
Carabldds.
Nebi*Ia brevlcollls, F.— Coolmore.
Pelophila boreal !s, Payk. — Coolmore, washed up on the beach.
Loriccra pilicornis, F. — Coolmore.
Clivina fossor, L. — Bruckless.
Dyschirius impunctipennlSp Daws. — Coolmore, on the sandy
beach in company with D. politus. It does not appear to have been
previously recorded from Ireland, and is local in England and Scotland.
Bradycellus verbasci, Duft. — Coolmore.
Harpalus aeneus, F, — Coolmore, not at all as plentiful as on the
east coast.
H. latus, L. — Coolmore.
Ptcrostlchus versicolor, Sturm. — Coolmore, numbers washed up
on beach.
Pt. vernalls, Gyll.— Coolmore, Bruckless.
Amara plebela, Gyll. — Coolmore.
Bembidium lam pros, Herbst.— Bruckless, Coxtown.
B. aeneum, Germ. — Coolmore.
Hallplldae.
Hallplus obllquus, F. \
H. fulvus, F. f J ^j^g j^^gj. ^^ Mervagh.
H. fluvlatllls, Aube. j ^^
H. lineatocollis, Marsh. )
Dytiscidae.
Coelatnbus inaequalls, F.— Coolmore. I was unable to find either
C. ix-lineatus or C vnpressopundatus in the locality in which they abounded
last year, probably owing to the difference of the two seasons.
Agabus paludosus, F. — Coolmore, Templenew.
A. unguicularls, Thorns.
Ilybius fuliglnosus, F. [ Coolmore.
Rhantus blstriatus, Berg.
Dytiscus punctulatus, F.
Report on Insects collected at Coolmore, Co. Donegal. 97
Hydrophilidae.
Laccobfus alutaceus, Thorns.— Templenew.
L. faipunctatus, F.— Coolmore.
Limnebius truncatellus, Thorns.— Templenew.
Cercyon depressus, Steph.— Coolmore,
C. haemorrhoidalis, Herbst.— Templenew.
C. unipunctatus, I^.— Coolmore.
Staphylinidds.
Aleochara nitida, Grav.J ^ ,
V. billneata, Gyll. \ Coolmore.
MfcroiTlossa nidicola, Fairm.- -Coolmore, in nests of Sand-martin.
The only other Irish record is Killiney (M'Nab).
Homalota currax, Kr.— Coolmore. The only other Irish record is
Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow, in shingle (G. C. Champion).
H. eIong:atuIa, Grav.) ^ ,
H. sordida, Marsh \ Coolmore.
Gnypeta labilis, Er.— Coolmore. An addition to the Irish list.
Tachyporus nltidicollis, Steph.— Coolmore, Bruckless.
T. solutusy Br.— Coolmore, Bruckless.
T. Xirwwweiws, F. — Coolmore.
IVIycetoporus longrulus, Mann. — Coolmore.
Leistotrophus murinus, L. — Bruckless, a single specimen.
Ocypus cuprcus, Rossi. — Bruckless.
Philonthus varius, Gyll. — Coolmore.
Ph. albipes, Grav. — Bruckless. Is not previously recorded from
eland.
Ph. sordldus, Grav. — Coolmore.
Ph. quisquiliarius, Gyll. \ Coolmore.
Xantholinus ochraccus, Gyll. j
X. punctulatus, Payk. — Coolmore, Bruckless.
Othius laeviusculus, Steph. \
Lathrobium multipunctatum, Grav. J Coolmore.
Stilicus affinls, Er. )
Stenus fornicatus, Steph. — Coolmore, new to the Irish list, appears
to be a southern species in England.
Bledius crraticus, Er. — Coolmore, a very large colony occurred
among the sandhills. This is an addition to the Irish list. Rare in
England.
Oxytclus laqucatus, Marsh— Coolmore.
Omalium Allardi, Fairm. — Coolmore, also recorded from Waterford
(Dr. Power) and Armagh.
IVlegarthrus dcprcssus, Lac— Coolmore.
Histeridds.
Hlstci* ncglcctus, Germ. j
Saprlnus nitidulus, Payk. > Coolmore, in carrion.
S. aeneus, F. )
Cocclnellldae.
Cocclnclla vM-punctata, L.) Coolmore.
C. xxii-punctata, L. i
Hyperaspis reppensis, Herbst.— Coolmore, a few specimens
washed up on the beach. It has not been previously recorded from
Ireland.
Nltidulidas.
Brachypterus pubescens, Er.— Bruckless.
Bi urtlcae, F. — Coolmore.
9^ The Irish Naturalist.
Lathrldlldse.
Cononlmus nodlfer, Westw. > ^ i
Enicmus transvcrsus, 01. \ *-oolmore.
Cryptophagrldae.
Cryptophagus scanicus, L., v. patruells, Sturm. ) ^ ,
IVIIcratnDe vlni, Panz. j Loolmore.
Byrrhldae.
ByiThus fasclatus, F.) ^ , ^1,1.1,
Cytilus varius, F. \ Coolmore, on the beach.
Scarabaeldaei
Aphodlus fossor, L.— Bruckless.
A, rufesccns, F. — Coolmore.
A, fCBtlduSy F. — Coolmore. The only other record is Bellurgan, Co.
Louth.
A. nitldulus, F. — Coolmore. I have also taken it at Greenore.
A. punctato-sulcatus, Stm. — Coolmore, Bruckless.
Serica brunnea, L. > r^^i^^^^o
iviclolontha vulgaris, F.]" Coolmore.
Phyllopertha horticola, L.— Coolmore, a number on the beach.
Elateridae.
Lacon murinus, L.— Coolmore, a large number washed up on the
beach ; and I also took it on Amuiophila on the sandhills.
Cryptohypnus quad riguttatus, Lap. — Bruckless. I took a good
many under stones on the shore. I have also taken it at Ardara, and it is
recorded from Dublin and Killiney.
Attious hsemorrhoidalis, F. — Coolmore.
Adrastus limbatus, F. — Coolmore, Coxtown.
Agrfotes lineatus, L- )
Dolopius marginatus, L. [ Coolmore.
Corymbitcscuprcus, F. )
C. tessulatus, F. — Coolmore, washed up on the beach in some num-
bers. The only other Irish record is in M'Nab's list. " Dublin, taken by
Mr. Tardy."
C. Qucrcus, Gyll. > Coolmore.
V. ochroptcrus, Steph.)
Dascillidaa.
Dascillus cervlnus, Latr. — Coolmore, numbers washed upon
beach.
Helodes minuta, L. — Coolmore, Coxtown.
H. marglnata, F. I Coolmore.
Cyphon coarctatus, Payk. / ^ '""'^
Malacoderinldae.
Telephorus bicolor, F. — Coolmore, Bruckless, Templenew.
T. flavllabris, Fall.— Bruckless.
Chrysomelidas.
Donacla crasslpcs, F. — Coolmore.
D. vcrslcolorea, Brahm. — Templenew.
D. sericca, L. — Coolmore, Templenew.
Lema Ilchcnis, Voet. — Coxtown.
Chrysomcia pollta, L.— Coolmore.
C. fastuosa, Scop. — Coolmore, a single specimen on the beach,
previously recorded from Courtown, Co. Wexford.
Castroldea virldula, De G. \
Phaedon tumldulus, Germ. \
P. armoraclae, L. > Coolmore.
Lochmea caprcae, L. I
CalcrucellacalmarlensiSjL. /
Report 071 insects collected at Coohnore, Co. Donegal. 99
Haltlcaerlcetiy All. — Coolmore, a single specimen washed up on the
beach.
Phyllotreta nemorum, L. 1 r 1
Crcpldodcra helxines, L. \ '-ooimore.
Psylliodes plcina, Marsh.— Templenew.
Casslda flaveola, Thunb.— Coolmore.
IVIordellidae.
Anaspls ruflcollis, F.— Coxtown.
Anthlcidse.
Anthicus floral ls» L.— Bruckless.
CurcuIIonidae.
Aplon aprlcans, Herbst. ? r^ 1 *
A. carduorum, Kirby. \ '-oo^more.
A.ervl, Kirby. — Coolmore, Coxtown.
Polydrusus pterygromalis, Boh. ) ^a 1 r^ ^
Phyllotolus argcntatus, L. \ Coolmore, Coxtown.
Phllopedon gretninatus, F.— Coolmore.
Sitones Ilneatus, L. \
Hypcra nlgrirostrls, F. > Coolmore.
Hylobiusabietis, Iv. )
Orchestes quercus, L. — Coxtown, a single specimen by beating
Oaks ; also recorded from Cultra, Co. Down, and Dublin.
O. fagrl, L,. — Coxtown.
Ceuthorrhynchldlus troglodytes, F.) <- 1
Phytoblus canal leu latus, Fahr. j ^oo^™ore.
HEMIPTERA.
Zlcrona coerulea, L. — Coolmore, a single specimen washed up on
the beach. I can find no previous record from Ireland. It seems to be
of southern distribution in England.
Cerrls thoracica, Schum., H. S. — Coolmore.
C. lacustrls, ly. — Templenew.
Nabis flavomarglnatus, Scholtz,— Coxtown,
Salda Ilttoralls, L. Icoolmore
Anthocorls sylvestris, L, j '
A. ncmoralis, F,— Mervagh.
IVIonalocorls flllcis, L.— Bruckless.
Lygus pratcnsis, F.— Coolmore.
Phylus melanocephalus, L.— Coxtown, beating Oaks.
Psallus lepldus, Fieb.— Coxtown on Ash.
P. varlans, H. S.— Coxtown on Oaks.
lYIacropsls lanio, L.— Coxtown. I have also taken it at Loughgilly,
Co. Armagh.
Bythoscopus aim, Schr.— Mervagh.
HYWIENOPTERA ACULEATA.
Crabro dlmldlatus, F.— Bruckless. They had their nests in holes in
a large boulder on the shore.
Bombus hortuorum.— Coolmore.
{To be concluded^
loo The Irish Naturalist.
ON THE FKNKSTKIvIvID^, WITH REFKRKNCE TO
IRISH CARBONIFEROUS STRATA.
BY GRKNVII,I.E A. J. COLK, M.R.I. A., F.G.S.
Professor of Geology in the Royal College of Science for
Ireland.
In the present preliminary paper, I can do little more than
call attention to the beauty and variety of a family of fossil
polyzoa, the remains of which are widely distributed across
Ireland. The Fenestellids are among the commonest fossils
wherever the great Carboniferous Limestone retains traces of
organic remains ; members of the famil}^ are figured in almost
every text-book of geology ; and the reticulated character of
their funnel-shaped or spreading zoaria renders their detection
easy, even on rough surfaces of the rock.
The family, which was a favoured one in the days of Sir
Richard Griffith and Frederick M'Coy, has suffered in recent
years from the criticism of Mr. G. W. Shrubsole^, who has
been able largely to reduce the number of species of the type-
genus Fenestclla. His papers, we should note, do not deal with
the '* Fenestellidse," as ordinarily understood, but with
Fenestellc^ only ; and they show how species have been
founded, not only upon imperfect specimens, but upon the
characters of different portions of the same zoarium.
However, Mr. Shrubsole's method of dealing with the super-
ficial markings and accessory parts of the Fenestellid zoarium
was, to say the least, drastic and indiscriminate, and formed
a marked contrast to the careful observation expended upon
these details on the other side of the Atlantic. It may fairly
be said that Mr. H. A. Prout, Professor James Hall, and Mr.
E. O. Ulrich have taught us much of the beauty of our own
fossil polyzoa ; and the abundance of material in our
Carboniferous strata is surely sufficient to rouse us now to
emulation.
The delicate outer structures of polyzoan colonies are bCvSt
preserved in shales ; but a great deal can be learned from the
^ " A Review of the British Carboniferous FenestelHdae," Quart, /ouj-n.
Geol.Soc. London, vol. xxxv. (1879), p. 275; "A Review and Description
of the various species of British Upper-Sihirian FenestelHdse," ibid.,
vol. xxxvi., p. 241 ; " Further Ncrtes on the Carboniferous Fenestellidae,"
ibid., vol. xxxvii., p. 178.
Oil the Fe7iestellidcB — Irish Carboniferous Strata. loi
weathered surfaces of fossiliferous limestones, and from the free
use of sections.
The general character of the Feyiestellidce is as follows : —
The zoarium forms a delicate calcareous mesh-work, on one
surface of which the cellules or zooecia occur. These are
grouped along the main bars or colum^i^ of the mesh. The
columns bifurcate as the zoarium grows broader from its
base, and the adjacent ones either approach and join one
another at intervals, then separating again, or are united by
little cross-bars called dissepiniejits. In the former case,
elliptical apertures, called fenestrules, are left between the
sinuous bars ; in the latter case the fenestrules, elliptical or
rectangular, are bounded on each side by the main columns,
and above and below by the dissepiments. The fenestrules
are far larger than the zooecial apertures.
Ulrich^ admits the genus Thainniscus into the family, and is
thereby forced to extend his definition to forms that possess
no fenestrules ; but this seems an unnecessary complication.
The genera included by different authors vary somewhat, but
amount to about fourteen, and the greatest development of
the family as a whole is in the Carboniferous period. For
our purposes, the following genera are of immediate interest,
and will be briefly discussed in order : —
1. Phyllopora, King {Retepora auct.) The columns are rounded, and
are sinuous in the plane of the zoarium, uniting with one another
laterally and leaving practically circular fenestrules. The zoarium is
funnel-shaped when perfect, as in so many of the Fenestellids, and the
zooecia open on its outer surface, forming two or more rows on each
column. Orduz'ician to Permian.
2. Polypora, M'Coy ^ The columns are round, and connected by
dissepiments. The zooecia are in 2 to 8 rows (Ulrich) on each column ;
M'Coy observed 3 to 5 rows. There is no keel between the rows, but
sometimes (Ulrich) a line of strong tubercles occurs along the column.
Sihtrian to Permian.
3. Fenestralla, Prout. lAke Polypora, hvLtvfith a. ridig&or keel a. long
each column, on each side of which there are two rows of zooecia. Only
one species is known, from the Lower Carboniferous of the United States.
^ These were unfortunately styled " interstices" by M'Coy, Young, and
others, a name more suggestive in the intervening apertures in the mesh.
^"Palaeozoic Bryozoa," Geological Survey of Illinois, vol. viii. (1890),
P- 395-
' Synopsis of the Characters of the Carboniferous Limestone Fossils of
Ireland (Dublin, 1844), p. 206,
io2 *rhe Irish Naturalist.
4. Fcncstella, Lonsdale. The columns are round, and are united by
dissepiments, slighter than themselves, as in Polypora. There is a keel,
as in Fenestralia ; but there is only one row of zooecia on each side of it.
Silurian to Permian ; most abundant in Carboniferous.
4a. Archimedes, Lesueur. IaIlq Fenestella, but wound spirally
about a central axis, with the zooecia on the internal or upper face.
Carboniferous,
4b. Ptriopora (Ptylopora), M'Coy^ (Scouler MS.). Like Fen-
cstella, but columns diverging pinnately on each side of a central
and thicker axis. Carboniferous.
5. Semlcoscfnium, Prout. (= Carinopora^ Nicholson). Two rows of
zooecia, as in Fenesiella, but the dissepiments are thicker and shorter, and
the keel on each column is greatly developed. This striking feature is
often thickened near its crest or in its central portion, and its form can
be well studied in sections.- Silurian to Devonian.
6. Unitrypa, Hall. Like semicoscinium, but the crests of the prominent
keels send out cross-bars which connect them. Sometimes there are
two bars to each fenestrule, and sometimes there is one to each zocecium.
Uppermost Silurian to Devonian.
7. Isotrypa, Hall. Like Semicosciniiuii, but the keels are thin at first
and then expand, the long plate-like summits that are thus produced
being connected by bars at regular intervals ; these bars correspond to the
dissepiments beneath them, and form a sort of outer mesh work. Silurian
to DeiJ0)iia7i.
8. Hem itry pa, Phillips.^ In this genus the correspondence of structure
between the outer mesh and the inner fenestrated zoarium is carried
farther than in Isotrypa^ and a delicate network, which may be styled the
legmen,^ covers the face of the zoarium, and is supported by pillars rising
from keels like those of an ordinary Fenesiella. Each row of pillars, in
fact, bears a rod running parallel to the column of the zoarium which
lies beneath it, and these rods give off bars, producing a network between
each pair of rods. The circular apertures of this network correspond to
the zooecia underlying them. Silurian to Carbonifei-ous.
In the above synopsis the genera are arranged with an eye
to their culmination in the exquisite details of Hemitrypa,
which was at one time nearly consigned to oblivion by
European palaeontologists, its tegmen being somewhat negli-
gently regarded as a parasite/ The range of this genus makes
1 Op. cit. p. 200.
-See, for instance, Nicholson and Lydekker, "Manual of Palaeontology,"
vol. i., p. 625, fig. 469 G.
3 " Palaeozoic Fossils of Cornwall, Devon, and West Somerset."
(Ordnance Geological Survey, 1841), p. 27.
^ G. A. J. Cole, " On Hemitrypa hibernica," Proc. Royal Dublin 80c., vol.
viii. (1893), p. 137.
^Ibid.^i^. 133-5. .......
0)1 the Feyiestellidce — Irish Carboniferous Strata. 103
one hope that further research may show that some of its
relatives also reached the Carboniferous period ; and the
number of Fenestellids recorded by Sir R. Griffith' from the
base of the Irish Carboniferous strata points to the shaly beds
of the south as a possible field of observation. But Hemitrypa
seems the natural survivor of the series that leads on up to it
from Semico scinium, and this genus is fortunately already well
known in Ireland. The great variet}^, however, of Fenestellid
species now established in the United States makes a more
thorough examination of our Carboniferous forms desirable.
Specimens showing outer coats, even if these resemble parasitic
crusts, are of especial value, and may possibly furnish new
examples of the beautiful He^nitrypa series. Even in museums,
a large number of Fenestellid specimens are merely casts of
various parts of the zoarium ; and at any time some choice
example may be discovered, which may largely improve our
knowledge of a genus. The observation of the "eight radial
denticles," pointing inwards from the mouth of the zooecia, in
Actinostoma,- was a striking step forward in this direction, and
similar structures may have existed in many Fcnestellce or
Polyporce. The controversy, again, as to the nature of
Patceocoryfie^ shows how even important appendages of these
complex polyzoa may be lost from all . but the most
exceptional specimens. Too often, moreover, workers have
been glad to set aside such discoveries as "abnormalities"
and "parasitic growths," without going to the length of sup-
porting their assertions by a section. A great deal can be
learned of the structure of a Fenestellid zoarium by merely
grinding down two surfaces perpendicular to one another and
to the face of the zoarium (vertical and horizontal sections),
and examining these, when moistened, with a dissecting
microscope or even with a hand-lens.
The Fenestellidae have hardly yet revealed all their secrets
to us. Their zooecia, as is now known, depart widely from the
simple cyclostomatous type, and Ulrich,^ with great reason,
1 "The Localities of the Irish Carboniferous Fossils," /^w^«- Geol. Soc.
Dublin^ vol. ix. (1S60-62), p. 53.
- Prof. J. Young and J. Young, " New Carboniferous Polyzoa," QuarL
Jotirn. Geol. Soc. London, vol. xxx (1874), p. 681.
^ Ibidf p. 684. Nicholson and Lydekker, op. cit., p. 624.
* Oj>. cit.y p. 344.
lo4 The Irish Naturalist.
has adopted and extended Vine's suborder Cryptostomata for
their reception. The cryptostomatous zooecium is typically
ovoid, as in the Cheilostomata, with an aperture towards one
end ; but, as growth proceeds, the rim of this aperture is pro-
longed out into a calcareous tubular vestibule, the axis of
which is oblique to that of the zooecium. I cannot help think-
ing that, in the highlj^ keeled Fenestellids, the polypides per-
manently protruded themselves even beyond their vestibules,
and ultimatel}^ became surrounded by a membranous tube
which extended as far as the tegnien. Enough has been said,
however, to indicate the lines on which observation may
profitably proceed ; and I need scarcely add that I should be
grateful for the loan of any well preserved specimens from
Irish Carboniferous strata. The surface cannot be too greatly
** encrusted " by what may seem an outer sheath ; the zooecia
and fenestrules may be entirely disguised by the meshwork of
a rude or a more delicate tegmen. The forms, moreover, with
well marked keels, or merely with lines of tubercles, all have
an important bearing on the evolution of the more elaborate
genera.
NOTES.
ZOOLOGY.
ARACHNIDS.
Nev\^ Irish Spiders from Londonderry. — During the latter lialfof
1894, 1 sent Mr. G. H. Carpenter some spiders from Magilligan, Wahvorth,
and Rathmullan. Among them he found specimens of eight species new
to Ireland: — Zora spiuimana, Cryphoeca sylvicola, Hahnia clegans, Ltpiyphantes
alacris, Tmeticus abnori/ns, Microneta viaria, Xysticiis ei-ratiais, and Hdiophaniis
Jlavipes.
Jas. N. Mii<ne, Londonderry.
INSECTS.
Co. Dublin Hymenoptera, Captures in 1894. — Last summer at
Monkstown I found Pscii pallipes abundantly in burrows of Anobiuni and
other wood-boring beetles. Crabro pdtarms I took in great quantity at
Portmarnock, also C. ccphaJotcs and C. varius. C. dimidiahts, a new local
record, also occurred at Monkstown. C. pdtarius I met with in numbers
at Laytown, as likewise Oxybeliis jiitightinis, on the occasion of the joint
excursion of the Belfast and Dublin P'ield Clubs in June.
H. G. CuTHBERT, Blackrock, Dublin.
Orthezia cataphracta, Shaw, in Co. Dublin. — When collect-
ing at Howth on the 9th of last Marcli, I found several beautifully fresh
examples of the female of the curious Coccid Orthezia cataphrada, Shaw, in
moss, near the top of the cliffs, at the back of Lord Howth's demesne.
This forms the first note of the insect from Co. Dublin. I have also
taken specimens on Bray Head and near Dingle. As it has now been
Notes. 105
recorded from several localities ranging over the north, east, and south-
west, we may assume that it is common in suitable places throughout
the country. No examples of the very rare winged male have as yet
been observed. The peculiarly northern distribution of this insect is
interesting, as it has been found in Greenland, Lapland, Scotland, and
the north of England.
J. N HAI.BERT, Dublin.
AMPHIBIANS.
Wanted live Newts. — Some doubts have been expressed whether
one or more species of newt inhabit Ireland. Readers of the Irish
Naturalist who are interested in the question are herewith requested to
kindly forward to me any newts which they may be able to secure.
Three species of newts live in England, but only one species has
hitherto been definitely authenticated in Ireland. It is chiefly from the
south of Ireland and the County Galway that newts are wanted, as it is
from there that others than the common form have been reported to
occur. Specimens should be packed in moss and enclosed in a tin box.
R. F. SCHARFF, Museum, Dublin.
BIRDS.
Osprey In Co. Kerry.— Mr. T. W. M'Cormick writes us that a week
or two ago an adult specimen of Pandion halicBtiis was shot near the
Railway Hotel, Killorglin, Co. Y^^xry.— land and Water, March 2.
Smew in Co. Cork.— On the ist of March, 1895, a Smew {Mergus
albelhes), was shot on the Bandon river, a few miles west of Bandon. The
Smew is a rare bird in the south of Ireland, and this appears to be the first
record of it occurring in the Co. Cork.
C. LONGFiEivD, Enniskeane, Co. Cork.
Little Bustard In Co. Longford. — Mr. L. Powell records in the
Irish Times of March 2nd, that a Little Bustard (Otistctrax)-^2L^ shot in Co,
Longford during February.
Carnivorous habit of Rooks in Frost. — Mr. W. J, Thomas
records in the Field of February i6th that, during the severe frost that
prevailed in the early part of this year. Rooks were observed to attack
and devour Starlings in the neighbourhood of Mullingar.
GEOLOGY.
The Naturalist In the IVIourne IVIountains. — An unusually
practical wall-sheet, which is shortly to be issued in pamphlet form,
has been recently published by the Belfast and County Down Railway
Company. It is headed " Mountain-climbing in the Mournes," and gives
details of six typical routes, by following which the finest scenery of this
grand district may be explored. The tourist should be in possession of
the hill-shaded i-inch ordnance map, to which a reference might well have
been given ; but it would probably be worth while for the same competent
climber who has prepared these concise notes to induce the Railway
Company also to put on sale a lithographed map, say on the scale of two
inches to one mile, on which the details acquired by his obviously wide
local knowledge might be noted down. The typical visitor to sunny
Rostrevor has very little knowledge of the Mournes. It is from the north,
and west, from Newcastle, Bryansford, and Hilltown that their wilder
features have been studied ; and we may now hope that some active
walker will do for Slieve Gullion and the ridges around Carlingford
I.ough what the County Down Railway has done for its especial district.
G. A. J. Coi,E, Dublin.
io6 The Irish Naturalist.
PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.
RoYAi. Z001.0GICA1, Society.
The Sixty-third Annual Report of this Society, which is just issued,
is one of considerable interest. From the Report of the Council we
learn that the total number of visitors to the gardens during the past
year (1894), was 115,031, being nearly 10,000 greater than the total of
1893. The number of visitors (and, as a consequence, the receipts at
gate) have been steadily increasing for the last six years. There is
also a slight increase in Entrance Fees and Subscriptions. During the
year nine Lion cubs have been born, five of these being males in one
litter, an unusual occurrence. They have been exchanged for a fine
pair of Ostriches, a monster Baboon, and other animals. Among the
other items we note that three Pumas were born in the gardens, and that
a pair of the curious South African Hunting Dogs were acquired by pur-
chase. The Chimpanzee " Bella " unfortunately died on 15th November,
but the purchase of an Orang-utan has secured to the gardens another
representative of the Anthropoid apes. The Bovine animals include a
Brahmin Bull, Pigmy Indian Cattle, Brahmin Dexter Crossbred Heifer,
Ga3^al Cow, Chillingham Heifer, and Yak Cattle. The Aquarium
has been greatl}' improved, and is now very attractive. The
Report concludes with a catalogue of the animals now in the gardens,
and the usual list of members, etc. We congratulate the Society on
their flourishing condition.
Recent donations comprise a Fallow-deer Fawn, from A. E. Goodbody,
Esq. ; a Mongoose from C. A. James, Esq., and a pair of Foxes from S.
Barkley, Esq. A young male Lion, sent by the governor of Harar to
the Queen, has been graciously presented by Her Majesty to the Society.
The animal has safely arrived at the Dublin gardens, and^has received
the name of " Victor." A Barbary Sheep has been born in the gardens,
and a pair of Mandarin Ducks purchased.
4,350 persons visited the gardens in February.
Dubinin Microscopicai. Ci^ub.
February 14TH. — The Club met at Mr. A. Andrews'.
Prof. G. Coi,E showed a section of Perlitic Obsidian, from Sandy
Brae, north of Tardree Mountain, Co. Antrim. This rock is probably the
most beautiful example of an unaltered perlitic glass in the British Isles.
Mr. W. W. Watts has recently [Quart. Jotirti. Geol. Soc, vol. L., p. 367),
given a detailed, description of its microscopic characters. It forms the
glassy part of a rliyolite, which probably flowed from the great neck of
Tardree Mountain.
Mr. M'ArdIvE exhibited the perianth and capsule, with spores and
elaters oi Radtila vohiia, Tayl., from specimens which he collected on the
shores of Lough Cultra, Co. Cavan, in 1893. This is a new locality for
the species. The Irish plant is held by good authorities to be the same
as A". Xalapensis, N.M., from New Granada collected by Linding, and on
Tullulah Falls, Georgia, U. States.
Mr. H. J. Seymour showed sections of Silicified Oolite found as a
pebble in the Glacial gravels of Glencullen, Co. Dublin. P'oraminifera
form the centres of the Oolitic grains, which are purple-brown in the
mass, cemented by white chalcedony. In section the grains appear
pale brown. It would be interesting to trace the origin of this rock.
Probably it is from some Oolitic zone in the Carboniferous system ; but
it is just possible that it is from a Jurassic stratum, which has been
entirely removed from Co. Dublin,
Pfoceedings of Irish Societies, 107
BKI,FAST NATURAI.ISTS' FIEI.D Cl,UB.
FEBRUARY 19.— The President (F. W. Lockwood) in the chair. Rev.
Denis Murphy, S.J., lectured on Irish Art as shown on Ancient
Crosses.
March 9. — A party of twenty-five, niostl}^ members of the geological
class, visited the various deposits to be found at I.arne. The party left
Belfast at 12.30, arriving in Larne Harbour at 1.40, where they were met
by Professor Cole, who straightway led them down to the exposure of
the New Red Sandstone : making this his text, he gave a ver}^ clear
outline of the conditions of this country in these times. No find was
made except a few pieces of gypsum. A little way further on was seen
a large section of the Rhaetic Beds, towards the top layers of which Mr.
William Swanston was lucky enough to hit on Putoi valoniensis, the type
fossil of the stratum in which it occurs.
Professor Tate has recorded no fossils from this part. A so-called
oolitic structure was next discussed, but no decision was arrived at :
Professor Cole, however, secured several of the knots and grains, of
which we may hope to hear more. The Lias beds were now arrived at, and
the zones of Psiloceras planorbis, yEgocerasJohnstoni a.ndi podacrinus were suc-
cessfully crossed, each forming a halting-place for the collectors to whom
the Professor explained the various features. Specimens of the above
were obtained, and also of Lima giganfea, Gryphcea inciu-va, various Cardinias
and others. Perhaps the best find was a Nautilus in which the septa
were replacedby sulphate of iron, and of which about one third of the outer
whorl was practically removed, showing the chambers, divided off by the
gold-coloured layers of the sulphate. Another shift was then made to the
Greensand, of which there is a large but sand-covered exposure, a great
part of it being the reddened deposit, in which there were a vast number
of fragments of Inoceranius, so much so that Professor Cole believes
this bed represents the English Turonian, which is usually
thought to be missing in our Irish strata. Close to this is the
base of the Chalk, with Ananchytes ovattis, and Belemnitella mucrouata, of
which specimens were secured, as also some impressions of spongy or
polyzoan forms. Professor Cole believes our Chalk to correspond to the
very topmost layer ot the English Ghalk, and this belief was
strengthened by Mr Swanston drawing attention to the great develop-
ment of marine gasteropods in the Limavady district. On the road
back to Lame, another outcrop of Greensand was examined, yielding
only a Rhynchonella robusla, and the party then headed for the Post-
Pliocene gravel beds of the Curran, which have already been very fully
described in the Proceedings of the Club. One or two members of the
party were fortunate in discovering marine shells and worked flints
side by side in the middle of the section Littorina litorea, L. litoralis,
and Patella vulgaris were found. The estuarine clay was noticed only
in passing, as time was short, and the party travelled back to Belfast
by the 5.45 train. Tea in the Museum was followed by Professor Cole's
lecture on the Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene periods, in which by far
the most important point raised was the discovery of worked flints in
undoubted Miocene deposits in India. Fuller particulars are being
anxiously watched for, but there seems no reason to doubt the
authenticity of the find. If true, it will be a final blow to the theory
that man sprang into existence in the last geological formation, and
with all his modern powers of intellect.
March 19. — The President in the Chair. The following papers were
read : LT.-Coi.onei. Partridge—" Additional Lepidoptera from
Enniskillen." J. R. P. ManfieTvD.— " Wild Bird Protection and Nesting
Boxes." Subsequently the annual meeting of the Microscopicjd
Section was held, and there was a display of microscopical apparatus
and objects.
io8 The Ifish Naturalist.
BEI.PAST NATURAIy HISTORY AND PhII,OSOPHICAI< SOCIETY.
March 5. — The President (R. L/I.OYD Patterson; in the chair. Mr,
REDFern Kei^IvY lectured on " The Great Mystery of Stellar and
Planetary Evolution."
Dubinin Natur.\i,ists' FiEiyD Ci.ub.
March 12.— The President (G. H. Carpenter, B.Sc.) in the chair.
Prof. J. P. 0'Reii.i,y, C.E., read a paper entitled " The Possible Palaeonto-
logical Reading of an Eastern Tradition." The reader drew attention to
a statement taken from Bailly's " Lettres sur 1' Atlantic de Platon et sur
I'ancienne Histoire de I'Asie " (Paris, 1779), ^^ which the statement was
made that Huschenk, grandson of Caiumarath, first King of the Persians,
conducted his expeditions on a horse having twelve feet, which, the
reader endeavoured to show, might possibly have been one of the three-
toed ancestors of the horse. Another tradition told how Tahamuruth,
third King of Persia, had for a steed a great bird called Simorg-auka, which
the reader suggested may possibly have actually been a bird allied to the
Ostrich. Prof. Cole, criticizing the paper, pointed out that the suggestions
made by Prof O'Reilly could not be met on the grounds of impossibility,
as man was known to have been contemporaneous, for instance, with
Hipparion, but he considered that the twelve-toed horse of the legend was
more probably a retrogressive sport. Rev. Maxwell Close and the
President also spoke. A letter was read from Dr. E. J. M'Weeney
regretting his inability to attend and read a paper which stood in his
name.
Mr. D. McArdi^e read a paper on "Adventitious Branching in
Liverworts,'' which appears in our present issue.
Mr. R. lyi,. Praeger exhibited some rare British plants from the
Boswell Herbarium. The species shown included Ranunculus reptans^
Elatine Hydropiper (from Belfast), Peucedanum officinale, Erythraa latifolia,
Orobanche Picridis, 0. caryophyllacea, Primula scolica, Statice Caspia, Atriplex
pedunculata, Carex frigida, Lastrea uliginosa. Professor JOHNSON exhibited
a sea-weed, Epicladia Fhisine, Rke., new to Ireland, found on Flustra
collected at Rush by Mr. J. E. Duerden.
Messrs. J. Iv. Huddleston, and G. E. T. Greene, J.P., P\L.S , were
elected members of the Club.
Cork Naturai<ists' Fiei.d Ci,ub.
November 21. — An Inaugural Address was delivered by the President
(Prof. M. M. Hartog, D.Sc). Mr. J. N. Hai^bert's paper, " Insects
collected on the joint Clubs' Excursion ofFermoy and Lismore," as read
by him at the Dublin N.F.C., was read by the Secretary, after which an
hour was pleasantly spent looking through the specimens and micro-
scopes brought by members.
January 23. — The first lecture was given in connection with the Irish
Field Club Union by Joseph Wright, Esq., F.G.S., of Belfast, on
*' Foraminifera recent and fossil, with special reference to those found in
Ireland." The lecture was beautifully illustrated with photographic
lantern slides and diagrams. "^ -.
Miss H. A. Martin, V.P., having kindly consented to give four
lectures on structural botany, a special class was formed, and two
lectures up to the present have been given on the Morphology and
Physiology of the Root and of the Stem.
JC
ALEXANDER GOODMAN MORE
l-.K.S.l-:., K.L.S.. M.U.I. A.
^\j^ gtrt^lj Jlaturalt^t*
Vol. IV. MAY, 1895. No. 5.
AI.BXANDKR GOODMAN MORE,
F.R.S.E., F.I,.S., M.R.I.A.
Irish Natural History has sustained the severest blow it could
well receive in the death of Alexander Goodman More, for it
may be truly said that no naturalist ever had the same reliable
grasp of the flora as well as the fauna of this country as he
possessed.
A. G. More was born in London on Septembers, 1830. He
was the son of Alexander More of Malvern, and grandson
of Alexander More, Collector of Customs, Aberdeen, great-
grandson of Gilbert More of Readen, Aberdeen, and on the
grandmother's side of Alexander Innes of Breda and Cowie.
From 1836 to 1841 he resided at Renens near Lausanne with
his parents and also with M. Germond, who was his tutor at
Yvonnand and Echallens. At Renens he became acquainted
with the Shawe-Taylors of Castle Taylor, Co. Galway. This
intimacy, which was continued through life, was probably the
primary cause of his coming to live in Ireland.
While in Switzerland his taste for Natural History early
showed itself in the collection of butterflies. In 1841 he went
to Mr. Bailey's school at Clifton, and there prepared for Rugby,
to which he went in 1844, his parents residing in the Isle of
Wight. Five years were spent at Rugby. More became head
of his house (Rev. Charles Mayor's) and first Grecian
Scholar.
In 1846 he tells us in a brief private diary — which will,
hereafter, be frequently quoted — ''Taste for birds first began
from being anxious to know all about a Nuthatch I had shot,
which I compared with, and found out in Bewick." In 1848
Eyton's supplement to "Bewick," Selby's ''British Orni-
thology," and St. John's "Highland Sports," were purchased,
and More " began to study birds more carefully."
no The hish Naturalist.
He was now eighteen, and Westwood's *' Butterflies,"
Jenyns' " British Vertebrates," Temminck's ** Manual," and
Turton's " British Land Shells " formed the nucleus of a well-
read library which was rapidly enlarged by presents from
friends who admired his ability and genius.
In 1850 he says " Walter (Mr. Walter Shawe-Tajdor) carried
me off to Ireland where I spent the summer and botanized for
the first time." In the same year More entered Trinity College,
Cambridge. The following summer, 185 1, was spent at Castle
Taylor, and Viola stag7iina discovered in Ireland. He was
introduced to Prof. Babington at Cambridge and elected
Associate of the Ray Club. In 1852 he " began really to study
botany," and purchased a number of valuable books dealing
with the English and Continental floras.
At Cambridge he took, a certificate in geology, but ill-health
prevented his completing his college course and trying for
the Natural Science Tripos — a circumstance always spoken of
with keen regret in after life. Fond of shooting and fishing,
he also steered the head boat at Cambridge in May, 1853.
At this time he joined the Botanical Society of Edinburgh,
and progress in botany consisted chiefly "in the more careful
comparison of plants with their descriptions," a study in which
his critical eye subsequently excelled and in which he had few
equals. Portions of 1854 and 1855 were spent in the West of
Ireland, and his first botanical essay appeared, i.e. " Notes
on the Flora of Castle Taylor." The following year he was
elected F.L.S. In 1857, he was introduced to Mr. H. C.
Watson, author of the " Cybele Britannica," and visited him
subsequently at Thames Ditton.
In 1858, in conjunction with Mr. T. Boyd, a paper " On the
Geographical Distribution of Butterflies in Great Britain "
was published, on the plan of Watson's " Cybele Britannica."
At the same time he made an analysis of De Candolle's
'' Naturalized Plants," and catalogued Dr. Bromfield's
herbarium.
In 1859 some suggestive remarks on the migration of birds
appeared in the Zoologist, and More, with the natural pride of
a young botanist, says, "Gained the confidence of CC.B."
(Prof. Babington). This was his first year of critical work at
botany.
Alexander Goodman More.
Ill
In i860 the appendix to Venable's " Isle of Wight Guide "
appeared, and the following summer he visited Waterton ;
his stay at Walton Hall with all its curiosities was always
remembered with pleasure.
Watson's plan of the ** Cybele Britannica", already applied
to the butterflies by More, was now made use of for illustrating
the distribution of birds in Great Britain during the nesting
season, and materials were diligently collected. So highly
was his paper on the subject thought of that Prof. Newton
alludes to it thus in his article on Ornithology in the ** Kncyc.
Brit," 9th Kd., "Though contravening our plan we must for
its great merits notice here Mr. More's series of papers in the
Ibis for 1865."
Not content with the Butterflies and Birds of Great Britain,
More in 1864 again visited Ireland, and to quote the diary,
''proposed an Irish Flora to D. M." (Dr. David Moore of
Glasnevin). Watson's "Cybele Britannica" did not include
Ireland, and we have here the first germ of the '•' Cybele
Hibernica," a work which will always form a conspicuous
landmark in Irish Botany. Dr. Moore had much of the
material already collected ; the application of Watson's system
to its arrangement was assisted by More, who, in order
to be near his friend, came to reside at Glasnevin. The
authors worked with diligence for two years, mutual esteem
^nd harmony prevailed, and the "Cybele Hibernica" was
completed in August, 1866.
In 1867 he was appointed Assistant in the Dublin Natural
History Museum, and for twenty years from that date his
room there was the rendezvous of all naturalists who came to
Dublin. Here introductions were made, jealousies dispelled,
and friendships initiated and cemented. Every nerve was
strained to encourage, stimulate, and assist the younger
naturalists. More was their counsellor and guide, and the
Natural History of Ireland had in him a most earnest advocate.
In 1877, he was made an Honorary Member of the Zoological
and Botanical Society of Vienna.
By a gentle and gracious manner, unfailing courtesy, and
wonderful tact, rare specimens were, over and over again,
coaxed from the owners for the Museum, and difficulties
overcome in their transfer by a sort of insidious persuasion
which few could withstand.
A 2
112 The hish Na tu ; a list.
In the old days, before the present National lyibrary was
built, most of the works on Natural History were collected
in a lofty square well-lighted room, and here More often spent
hours working at some moot point for the benefit of a friend
down in the country. The trouble he took was amazing. For
a quarter of a century, scarcely a pamphlet, paper, or book
was published on the flora or fauna of Ireland in which the
author did not acknowledge his assistance or advice. It
always gave him greater pleasure to help others to write than
to undertake the task himself. There was no lack of mental
energy, but ill-health frustrated many a plan which would
have been carried out had he been more vigorous.
In 1 88 1, on the death of Dr. Carte, he was appointed Curator
of the Museum, and occupied this post till a protracted illness
caused him to retire on pension in 1887. His residence at
Rathmines now became the frequented resort of botanists and
zoologists, with whom he kept up a constant correspondence,
making systematic entries of their notes in the " Cybele
Hibernica", and in other books and papers which he had in-
terleaved and annotated.
He was not a scientist of the modern type ; the correct
identification of a species, its habits, and geographical distribu-
tion were studied by him rather than its morphology and
histology. He revelled in minute distinctions between well-
marked varieties, and his critical opinion was respected in
England and abroad. Familiar with every pamphlet and book-
on his favourite studies, he held a unique position as a referee
in the bibliography of Irish and English Natural History, for
he knew both zoological and botanical literature.
The short notes and papers which he has written are
numerous, but, unlike many, he wrote less than he knew,
rather than err by making unfounded statements. His " Out-
lines of the Natural History of the Isle of Wight," the
valuable papers in the Ibis for 1865, the Supplement to the
'* Flora Vectensis", the *' Cybele Hibernica " and its Supple-
ment, and last but not least his " List of Irish Birds " are the
best known of his writings. From the Royal Irish Academy
he received, from time to time, several grants for scientific
purposes.
The errors which he corrected and saved others from mak-
ing are scarcely less numerous than those many additions to
Alexander Good7na7i More. 113
the Irish Flora and Fauna which are solely due to his activity.
After the scientific exploration of any district, More was the
traveller's first confidant, and the delight with which he hailed
a discovery gave a zest and enjoyment to field work which
will be sadly missed in Ireland. What areas deserved
attention — who had been there previously, and what had been
done and left undone— were at his fingers' ends. He suggested
many expeditions, checked others, and was consulted in the
arrangement of all. Nobody can hope to fill his place ; no one
is equally familiar with birds, mammals, fishes, reptiles, flower-
ing plants and ferns, a versatility which was happily combined
with a sound judgment, great tact, and a suavity and gentleness
of manner peculiarly attractive. His ability was perhaps best
testified by the regard which was entertained for him by
every one. He has left a blank which can never be filled,
and which will be more vividly realized every day by those
who had the privilege of his friendship.
Richard M. Barrington.
UST OF THE SCIENTIFIC WRITINGS OF THE I,ATE A. G. MORE.
BOTANY.
1855. On some uncommon Plants observed at or near Tunbridge Wells
in Kent. Phytologist, (n.s.) vol. i., pp. 292-5, 345-8.
1855. On the Flora of the neighbourhood of Castle Taylor, Co. Gal way.
Proc. Edin. Bot. Soc, pp. 26-30.
1857. Anemone Pulsatilla. Phyt. (n.s.) vol. ii., pp. 215-216.
1858. Analysis of De Candolle's " Naturalized Plants." /.c, pp. 449-462.
[Not signed by A. G. M., but mentioned in his diary.]
i860. Remarks on the Violce of the coast sand-hills. Phyt. (n.s.), vol. iv.
pp. 301-3.
i860. Additional localities for some rare Hampshire plants, t.c, pp.
80-82.
i860. Remarks on Annual Addresses, t^c. pp. 103-4. [Not signed.]
i860. VJh.a.t is Rammadus heterophylltts ? Ac, pp. 138-142. [Not signed.]
i860. Remarks on Harrow Plants, t.c, pp. 170-2. [Signed, "A."]
i860. Chickweeds. /.c, pp. 172-4. [Not signed.]
i860. Sonchtis palustris. t.c, pp. 310 312. [Signed, "A."]
i860. Outlines of the Natural History of the Isle of Wight, being a
supplement to Venables' " Guide." (Also issued separately with
fresh pagination. London, Spottiswoode & Co. )
i860. Localities for some rare Plants observed in Ireland. Nat. Hist.
Review, vol. vii., pp. 434-443.
1861. "QxiW-S^ Lepigona. /%jA (n.s.) vol. v., pp. 81-3. Also Thirsk Botanical
Reports, 186 1, pp. 7-9.
1861. On the occurrence of Festiua ambigua in the Isle of Wight. Trans.
Linn. Soc (^Bot.), vol. vi., pp. 189-192.
114 ^^^ Irish Naturalist.
1861-3. A Comparative List of British Plants, showing synonymous species
in Babington, Ivond. Cat, Hooker, Arnott, and Bentham. Phyt.
(n.s.), vol. iv., pp. 321-330; vol. v., pp. 310 317 ; vol. vi., pp-
101-9, 370-381-
1863. The above, reprinted. London, Pamplin.
1862. On the discovery of Gladiohis illyricus in the Isle of Wight. Journ^
Linn. Soc, {Bot), vol. v., pp. 177-8.
1863. Unusually mild winter in the Isle of Wight. Journai of Botany^
vol. i., pp. 57-8.
1865. Note on the discovery of Neolinea intada in Ireland. Trans. Edin.
Bot. Soc, vol. viii.,pp. 265-266.
1866. [Conjointly with David Moore]. Contributions towards a Cybele
Hibernica, being Outlines of the Geographical Distribution of
Plants in Ireland. Dublin and London.
1866. [Conjointly with David Moore]. On the Climate, Flora, and
Crops of Ireland. Proc. Bot. Congress, pp. 165-176.
1868. Discovery of 6'«>/'^/.f/ar^'w/«^ in Ireland. Jonrn. of Bot. vol. vi., pp.
254, 321-3, with plate.
1868. Trifoliti77t subterraneiim in Ireland, i.e., pp. 208.
1868. Note on Equisetum Moorei. t. c, pp. 253-4.
1868. Hippophae rha?nnoides. t. c, pp. 255-6, 373.
1869. Discovery of Aira uliginosa at Roundstone, Co. Galway. Journ. of
Bot,, vol. vii., pp. 265-6.
1870. Notes on Scirpiis parvulus. Trans. Edin. Bot. Soc-, vol. x., pp. 160-1.
1870. On Callitriche obtnsangula as a British plant. Journ. of Bot., vol. viii.,
pp. 342-3.
1871. A Supplement to the Flora Vectensis. Journ. of Bot., vol. ix., pp.
72-6, 135-145, 167-172, 202-211.
1871. On Acorus caia/nus as a. Native, t.c, -p. 246.
1871. Cerastium pzimilwn in Jersey. Ar. , p. 371.
1 87 1. On Spiranthes Romanzoviana, Brit. Ass. Rep., xli., p. 129.
1871. On Eriophorum alpinuin as a British Plant. A c, p. 133.
1873. Recent additions to Flora of Ireland. Proc. Roy. Ir. Acad. {Sc.) (2)
vol. ii., pp. 256-293.
1873. Abridgment of above with additions. Journ. of Bot., vol. xi., pp.
115-T19, 142-148.
1873. Panicum capillarexn^sseyi. t.c, p. 141.
1874. New station for Erica Mackayana. Journ. of Bot., vol. xii., p. 306.
1876. Lycopodiwn inundatum in Kerry. Journ. of Bot , vol. xiv., p. 373.
1876. Report on the Flora of Inishbofin, Galway. Proc. R. I. A., vol. ii.,
PP- 553-578.
1876. On the occurrence in Ireland of Nuphar intermeditini. \Brit. Ass.
Rep., xlvi., p. 144.
1877. Naias flexilis in Kerry. Journ. of Bot., vol. xv., p. 350.
1878. [Conjointly withD. Moore.] Catalogue of the Flowering-plants and
Ferns of Dublin and Wicklow, for Brit. Assoc. Guide. Reprinted
with corrections in Sci. Proc. R. D. S. (n.s), vol. i., pp. 190-227.
1880. Trifoliiwi maritinmm in Ireland. Journ. of Bot.,Yo\. xviii., pp. 233-4.
1882. Sisyrinchitnn Bermudiatiuni in Kerry. Journ. of Bot., vol. xx., p. 8.
1882. Aira atpina in Kerry. t.c.,-p. 87.
1884. Pembroke and Glamorganshire Plants, fourn. of Bot., vol. xxii.,
pp. 43-6.
1889. Erica mediterranea var. hibernica in Achil. fourn. of Bot., vol. xxvii.,
p. 118.
Alexa7ider Goodman More. 115
1892. Ciisctita epithymuni in Ireland. Jotirn. of BoL, vol. xxx., p. 14.
1892. Trichomanes radicans in Spain, t. c.y p. 86.
1892. Silene maritima growing inland, t.c.^ p. 87.
1892. Vaccinium vitis-idcea at low level, t.c.^ p. 88.
1892. Rubus chamxtnorus as an Irish Plant, t. <:., p. 217.
1893. A Sketch of Irish Botany, in Guy's " South of Ireland Pictorial
Guide" (pp. 142-6). Reprinted with corrections. Journ. of Bot.,
vol. xxxi., pp. 299-304.
ZOOLOGY.
1849. Regiclus ignicapilhis at Bembridge. Zoologist, vol. vii., p. 2526.
1850. Uptipa epops at Bembridge. ZooL, vol. viii., p. 2800.
1853. Sylvia tithys at Bembridge. ZooL, vol. xi., p. 3753.
1853. Correction of Error respecting Regidus ignicapilhis. i.e., 4014.
1853. Migratory Birds in the Isle of Wight, t.c, p. 4094-
1854. Vespertilio serotinus in the Isle of Wight. ZooL, vol. xii., p. 4179.
1854. Bartramia longicatida as a British Bird, t.c, p. 4254*
1854. Zygoena jninos. — Note on, in Ireland, &c. t.c, p. 4435*
1855. On three species of Divers. Zool., vol. xiii., p. 4628.
1858. [Conjointly with T. Boyd.] On the geographical distribution of
Butterflies in Gt. Britain. Zool., vol. xvi., pp. 6018-6027.
1858. Migratory Birds in the Isle of Wight, t.c, p. 6270.
1859. Remarks on the Migration of Birds. Zool., vol. xvii., pp. 6531-4.
i860. Outlines of the Natural History of the Isle of Wight. London.
(See also under Botany. )
i860. Rare birds observed in the Isle of Wight. Zool.., vol. xviii., 6849-
6860.
i860. Arctic Tern nesting on fresh water at Lough Carra, Mayo, /.c,
6891.
i860. Deilephila lineata on the Isle of Wight, t.c, p. 7107.
i860. Calosoma sycophanta on the Isle of Wight, t.c, p. 7157.
1865. On the Distribution of Birds in Great Britain during the Nesting
Season. Ibis. (2), vol. i., pp. 1-27, 1 19-142, 425-458.
1865. Colias ediisa on Howth, Dublin. Zool. (2), vol. i., p. 151.
1869. Note on the Animal of Limncea involuta. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4)
vol. iv., p. 46.
1870. Golden Eagle on Snowdon. Zool. (2), vol. v., p. 2381.
1870. Report on the Collections made in Kerry. Journ. R. Dub. Sot\,
vol. v., pp. 389-394-
1870. Report on Experiments made in 1869 with the Japanese Silkworm,
Bombyx Yatna-mai. t.c. pp. 486-9."
1872. Food Plant of Taneocampa rubricosa. Zool. (2.), vol. vii., p. 3027. .
1874. Salpa spinosa in the W. of Ireland. Zool. (2), vol. ix., p. 4202-
1875. Dinoteuthis proboscideus, a gigantic Cephalopod stranded at Dingle,
Kerry, 200 years ago. Zool. (2). vol. x., pp. 4526-4532.
1875. Architeuthis dux,2. gigantic Squid recently captured at Innishboffin.
t.c, pp. 4569-4571.
1875. A gigantic Squid on the West Coast of Ireland. Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist., vol. xvi., pp. 123-4.
1878. Lists of Fishes and Birds in the Fauna of Co. Dublin, for Brit.
Assoc. Guide (pp. 71-90). Dublin.
1878. Delphinus albirostris on the Irish coast Zool. (3), vol. ii., p. 292.
1878. Blennius galerita, in Dingle and Connemara. t.c, p. 297.
ii6 The Irish Naturalist.
1880. Monticola cyanus (Blue Thrush) in Ireland, an error. Zool. (3). vol.
iv., p. 67.
1880. Does the Long-eared Owl Hoot ? t.c.^ p. 487.
1881. On the alleged former existence of the Ptarmigan in Cumberland
and Wales. Zool. (3), vol. v., pp. 44-47.
1881. Hooting of the Long-eared Owl. t.c, p. 56-57.
l88r. Puffirms griseus in Ireland, t.c, p. 334.
1881. Sabine's Gull near Dublin, t.c, p. 472.
1881. Falco islandus in Ireland, t.c, p. 488.
1882. Porzana Bailloni in Waterford, erroneously supposed to be " Crex
pusilla.'" Zool. (3), vol. vi., p. 113.
1882. Uncommon variety of grouse from Maj^o. t.c, p. 148.
1882. Echinorhimcs spinosus (Spinous Shark) in Dublin, i.e., p. 434.
1882. Daption capensis (the Cape Pigeon) in Ireland. Ibis. (4), vol. vi.,
p. 346.
1883. Snowy Owl in Donegal. Zool. (3), vol. vii., p. 80.
1884. Greenland Falcon in Donegal. Bonito in Galway. Zool. (3), vol.
viii., p. 31.
1885. A List of Irish Birds, showing the species contained in the Science
and Art Museum, Dublin. Dublin.
1885. Ttirdtis variiis in Mayo. Zool. (3), vol. ix., p. in.
1885. Echinorhimis spinosus in Galway. t.c, p. 311.
1885. Wood Sandpiper in Wicklow. t.c, p. 438.
1887. Science and Art Museum, Dublin. Guide to the Natural History
Department. Series i, Vertebrate Animals (Recent), Mammals
and Birds. Dublin.
1882-8. [Conjointly with Richard M. Barrington.] Reports on the
Migration of Birds, as observed at Lighthouses and Lightships on
the Irish Coast. London, West, Newman & Co., 18S2 -5. Edin-
burgh, McFarlane & Brskine, 1886-8. (Short Abstracts in Brit.
Ass. Rep., lii., p. 283 ; liii., pp. 229-233 ; liv., pp. 266-270; Iv., pp.
685-9; Ivi., pp. 264-7 ; Ivii., pp. 70-73 ; Iviii., pp. 146-9.)
1889. Clupea finta at Killarney. Zool. (3), vol. xiii., p. no.
1889. Motella maculata as an Irish fish, t.c, p. 154.
1889. Livincea invohita probably a variety of Z. peregra. t.c, pp. 154-155.
1889. Parrot Crossbill in Ireland, t.c p. i8i.
1889. Athamis nitcscms\Vi\x€i.2>xA. A<r., p. 236.
1890. A List of Irish Birds. 2nd edition. Dublin.
1890. The so-called " Martinico gallinule " in Ireland. ZooL (3), vol. xiv.,
p. 24.
1890. Porphyria smaragnotus and P. cceruleus in Ireland, t.c, p. 24.
1890. Sylvia nisoria in Ireland, t.c, p. 310.
1891. Falco cenchris in Ireland. Zool. (3), vol. xv., p. 152. Ibis (6), vol. iii.,
pp. 297-8.
1891. Localities for Natterer's Bat in Ireland, t.c, p. 304
1892. Alleged former nesting of the Osprey in the E)nglish lake district
Zool. (3) vol. xvi., pp. 1-3.
1892. Parrot Crossbill in Ireland, t.c, p. 76.
1892 Recent additions to the List of Irish Birds, Irish Nat., vol. i.,
PP- 3-4-
1893. Mammals, and Freshwater Fishes, in Guy's " South of Ireland
Guide" (pp. 134, 138-40). [2nd edition of this is now in press.]
1894. Supposed occurrence of Vespertilio murinus in England.— Correction
of an error. Zool. (3), vol. xviii., p. 148.
[ 117 ]
THE BREEDING BIRDS OF TROUGHS CONN, CARRA,
AND MAvSK.
BY ROBERT WARRKN.
(A Report laid before the Royal Irish Academy, 28th May, 1894).
The results of some former visits to Though Conn have
enabled me to ascertain that Wild Ducks and Teal breed on
some of the islands and shores of the lake ; and the adult
Shoveller has been seen, and a flapper shot in Errew bay on the
west side of the lough ; and in the summer of 1892, my friend*
Mr. H. Scroope, jun., had a nest and twelve eggs sent him
from the same part. A colony of Blackheaded Gulls breed on
the low gravelly island off Errew Bay, and also some Common
Terns : and this summer, Mr. H. Scroope obtained a nest and
eggs of the Common Gull off the same island — the first nest
that I have known of this gull to have been found on I^ough
Conn, the nearest breeding station being on I,ough-na-Crum-
pane, a little bog-lake some eight or ten miles away.
The Common Tern also breeds on the stony shores of some
islands nearCloghans, a favourite breeding haunt of Redshanks,
Some Dunlins frequent the boggy shore of the southern end
of the lake near the Pontoon road ; while Ringed Plovers are
seen in many of the sandy bays.
The Common Sandpiper is to be met on every island, as
well as on the shores of the lake, and some pairs of Hooded
Crows have nests in the low trees on some of the islands.
Formerly the Lesser Blackbacked Gull bred in large
numbers on islands in the lake, but of late years, although
some birds are seen during the summer time, no nests have
been discovered. Redbreasted Mergansers also breed on the
islands.
Of the Warblers, only the common species are met — White-
throats and Willow Wrens, on the islands, while the Chiff-chaff
frequents the woods of Cloghans and others along the shore
of the lake.
Having been informed by Mr. W. H. Good, of Westport,
that the Lesser Blackbacked Gull, Common Gull, Common
and Arctic Terns bred on Lough Mask, and the Yellow Wagtail
on Lough Carra, I was anxious to verify the statement, and
on the 1 2th of June, 1893, I left Balliua for Ballinrobe, being
A5
ii8 I he Irish Naturalist.
joined at Claremorris station by my friend, Mr. W. Williams.
After arriving at Ballinrobe in the evening, we walked on to
Lough Carra (about two miles from the town), to make some
preliminary observations, and see about engaging a boat and
men to go up the lake next morning. On reaching the bridge
near the foot of the lake, Mr. Williams hearing the call of a
Yellow Wagtail, and looking round, saw a female bird with
something in her bill sitting on the fence of an oat-field, and
shortly after we saw the cock bird standing on a thistle in the
oats. They evidently had a nest and young somewhere near,
but although we searched carefully all round, were unsuc-
cessful in finding it.
We soon after saw another cock bird whose hen must have
been hatching, for she did not appear in sight ; the three
birds haunted the oat-field, and a bit of pasture land that
extended from the lake to the road. Next morning when
walking to our boat, we saw the three birds at the same place,
and again in the evening when returning. We row^ed up the
lake, visiting several islands, on which we saw Redshanks and
Sandpipers; and on a wooded island, having a dense under-
growth of brushwood and weeds, situated under Lakeview, we
found two Wild Ducks' nests containing six, and nine eggs,
and three nests of the Redbreasted Merganser having twelve,
eight, and two eggs, those w^th the larger number being
densel}^ lined with down. The Merganser's nest with the twelve
eggs was situated in a dense thicket of Meadowsweet four
feet high, and so thick and close, that when the female left
the nest we caught her before she could escape to the water.
The nests were easily discovered by the beaten path through
the grass and weeds leading from the water.
We next landed on a long low island under Brown Hall,
about 150 yards long, with a few bushes on it, and on either
end was a colony of Blackheaded Gulls, having eggs and
young, while on a patch of short grassy turf near the centre
were a lot of Terns having eggs and some young in their
nests. We sat down for some time watching them, and
observing a pair hovering over us, screaming in a shriller tone
than the others ; one was shot, and it proved to be an Arctic
Tern. We found a Wild Duck's nest, and a Water-Hen's, on
the end of the island, the former with eight and the latter
with ten eggs. Visiting some others we only saw Redshanks
The Breeding Birds of Lough Conn, Carra, a7id Mask. 119
and Common Sandpipers ; and then on coming to that upon
which Castle Carra stands, we were disappointed at finding
that the Great Cormorants were not breeding on the ruins this
season in consequence of a great part of the Ivy covering the
walls having been torn down by the winter's storms. We
however saw some birds resting on the highest part of the
castle.
Continuing our course up the lake we came to a large island
at the head of the lough, under Moore Hall. It was covered
with old timber of a great size, Ash, Oak, Elm, and Scotch Fir,
and in open glades formed by storms cutting lanes through
the wood, were large brakes and thickets of Briars over-
growing the fallen trees, and in other parts of the island were
dense copses of Black- and White-thorn mixed with Hazel,
which appeared to us to be a perfect paradise for Warblers,
but to our great disappointment we only saw the commoner
ones, Willow Wrens, and Chiff- Chaffs, no trace of Wood Wren,
Blackcap, or Garden Warbler, I may here remark that
although one of the. chief objects of our visit was to ascertain
if any of the last-named Warblers visited the district, yet,
although we carefully searched the woods of Creagh, the
magnificent demesne of Colonel Knox, situated on the shores
of L^ough Mask ; Cranmore, that of his brother, near Ballin-
robe ; and the lovely demesne of Lord Ardilaun at Cong on
the shores of I^ough Corrib, and the various wooded islands
on Carra and Mask ; we were unsuccessful in either hearing
or seeing these birds, or obtaining any information about them.
Next morning when going to IvOUgh Carra we saw the
Yellow Wagtails in their old haunt, and after going to the
island and securing the Merganser's nest and eggs, we took
our boat under the bridge, and down the canal-like drain that
leads for half a mile to lyough Mask, and entered it through
a wilderness of rocks and stones. We then rowed across to
the Partry side of the lake where the island upon which the
Lesser Black-backed Gulls bred was situated, just opposite to
the monastery ; but on our way we landed on a flat stony
island towards the middle of the lake ; we saw some Redshanks
and Sandpipers, but found only one nest with eggs of the
Common Gull.
The island frequented by the Lesser Black-backed Gulls is
very rocky, and with long grass between the rocks ; there
1 20 The Irish Naturalist.
are also a few bushes. On landing, we found that the nests
had been lately robbed, upwards of twenty being empty, and
a few in which the Gulls had begun to lay again. The nests
were large and substantially constructed of the dried grass
left by the floods on the shore of the island, and were
generally placed between the rocks and large stones or near
bushes, and when we were leaving a Merganser rose from her
nest, under a bush, containing ten eggs ; and standing on the
extreme end of the stony point, we were surprised at seeing
a Turnstone in the dark-coloured immature plumage of
winter, a strange sight at that time of year, so far from the
coast, on an inland lake.
A heavy thunderstorm with torrents of rain and high wind
coming on drove us from the island, and it was with great
difficulty that we gained the Ballinrobe side of the lake under
Creagh, taking shelter within the walls of Grace O'Malley's
castle on the island. After the storm passed off the wind
continued so high as to raise such a sea on the lough, that it
put an end to any further explorations that day, and we had
to content ourselves with searching the woods of Creagh for
Warblers, but as usual only the common ones appeared.
Next day we returned to the lake, and although still blowing
hard we ventured on a visit to the Terns' island, taking advan-
tage of the shelter of Cushlough Island until opposite that of
the Terns, to which we had a hard pull aerainst a head wind and
sea. On landing we found a large colony of Terns hovering
overhead, for like the gulls, their nests had been nearly all
robbed previous to our visit ; we saw a large number of
empty nests, but in a few they had begun to lay again,
several having one and two eggs, and but very few having the
full number of three, and only three or four nests with newly
hatched young birds. We remained for a long time on the
island watching the birds on the wing, and trying to distinguish
between the Arctic and Common Tern, but failing to do so a
few were shot and found to belong to both species. I took
the eggs from two nests, which from their being similar in
size and colour to some brought from the Sovereign Islands
off Cork Harbour, and being a size smaller than those of
undoubted eggs of the Common Tern taken off the Inch at
Killaloe, and from an island in Lough Conn, I have no doubt
of their being the eggs of the Arctic Tern.
The Breeding Birds of Lough Conn, Carra, and Mask. 121
We took the newly-hatclied young from one nest, which are
certainly Arctic Terns, for on comparing them with young
Common Terns of about the same age, we found their tarsi so
much shorter, as to leave no doubt of them being the Arctic
species. I found a nest containing an ^g<g of the Lesser
Black-backed Gull, placed under a thick bush, and several
empty ones on other parts of the island, while as usual the
Common Sandpipers were on the islands ; indeed on every
island visited these birds were seen. The wind still blowing
too hard for any further exploration of the lake, we returned
and again spent some hours in Creagh demesne on our way to
Ballinrobe.
Next morning being our last day, and finding it still too
stormy for the lake, we drove to Cong to visit Lord Ardilaun's
beautiful demesne on the shores of Lough Corrib, and searched
the woods and plantations for the Wood Wren, Garden
Warbler, and Blackcap, but after walking for hours, saw
nothing of these birds, and returned thoroughly disappointed
to Ballinrobe, where after dinner we set out for a walk to
Lough Carra, to have a last look at the Yellow Wagtails, and
have another search for their nests. We met them in their
old haunt near the bridge, but although we remained about
the place until dusk, failed, as before, in our search.
Returning to Ballinrobe, about half a mile from the lough,
we came to a fir-wood that extended from Creagh demesne to
a bog on the side of the road, and just when passing the wood,
Mr. Williams hearing the churring of the Nightjar, we stopped
to listen to its curious notes ; here we remained for a time,
but a noisy cart passing along the road scared the bird, which
went deeper into the wood where we could scarcely hear him.
It was unfortunate the weather turning out so storni}^ on
our last three days, for it prevented a thorough exploration
of Lough Mask, especially the Galwa}^ side and the lower end,
where there are a number of islands. However I was glad to
have ascertained that the range of the Yellow Wagtail and
Nightjar extended so far west, and that neither the Wood
Wren, Garden Warbler, nor Blackcap frequented the woods
of the lake district, at least so far as our observations went,
though of course it is not improbable that all these birds, or
perhaps some of them, may yet be discovered in some part of
that district.
• A4
122 The Irish Naturalist,
THE FRESH-WATBR SPONGES OF IREEAND,
WITH REMARKS ON THE GENERA!^ DISTRIBUTION OF THE GROUP.
BY R. HANITSCH, PH. D.
[Pirate 4-]
Thk following short account of Irish Fresh-water Sponges is
based chiefly upon a small collection which I received last
autumn from Dr. R. F. Scharff, Science and Art Museum,
Dublin. The examination of the material gave such unex-
pected results, that I gladly accepted Dr. Scharff's invitation
to publish the same in the Irish Natur^alist.
According to Weltner (13 & 14), the Fauna of Europe com-
prises seven species of Spongillidse, viz : —
Euspongilla lacusiris, Autt.
Spo}igilla fragilis, IvCidy.
Trochospongilla horrida^ WeUner.
Ephydatia Mi'dleri, L/ieberktihn.
Ephydatia JJuviatilis, Autt.
Ephydatia bohe??iica, Petr.
Carterius Stepanowi, Dybowsky.
To these we have to add Heteromeye^iia repens, Potts, of which
Wierzejski (15, p. 143) discovered some free floating gemmules
in a pond in Galizia. The same species is enumerated by
Petr (6, p. 18) in his recent paper on European Spongillidae.
The article, however, being written in Bohemian, I am unable
to say whether he gives additional data regarding the
occurrence of that species. Out of Weltner's list the first five
— and no others — occur in Germany (Weltner, 18, pp. 210-220)
and France (Topsent, 8, p. 176). But Ephydatia bohemica has
been found in Bohemia only, and Carterius Stepa^iozvi, near
Charkow in Russia, in Bohemia, Hungary, and Galizia
(Wierzejski, 15, p. 143). Russia possesses six species (viz.,
Weltner's seven species with the exception of E. bohemica),
although Traxler (10), in quite a recent paper, enumerates
only four species from Northern Russia : —
Euspongilla lacustHs.
Spongilla fragilis.
Meyenia {—Ephydatia) Mdlleri,
Trochospongilla horrida.
Irish Naturalist, Vol. IV.]
[Plate 4.
Fig. 4.
IRISH FRESH-WATER SPONGES.
Th e Fresh - iva ter Sponges of Ire la nd^ 123
A few months ago, Dr. Adriano Garbini, of Verona, published
a paper on Italian Spongillidse. He has found, so far, only
two species, namely Eiispongilla lacustris and Ephydatia
fluviatilis, and he gives a table showing the distribution of
those two species in Europe (4, p. 20). They occur according
to Garbini in all European countries, except the Iberian and
Balkan peninsulas, and he explains this by saying that the
long mountain-range of the Pyrenees, Alps and the Balkans
hindered the dispersal of those Sponges from Northern Europe
(where according to Merejkowsky, (5), at least Euspongilla
lacustris has its home) into Southern Europe. Those two
species, found in Italy, were conveyed and dispersed by
migratory birds along their lines of flight from the White Sea
and the Baltic, to the lakes of the Alps and Northern Italy.
But before we accept this explanation, we must ask w^hether
it is settled beyond dispute that only two species of Spongil-
lidse exist in Italy. In regard to their supposed non-
occurrence in the Iberian and Balkan peninsulas, I ma)^
state that quite recently, amongst a collection of marine
Sponges, sent to me by Dr. Paulino d'Oliveira in Coimbra,
Portugal, I discovered an Euspongilla lacustris, coming from
a small river near Caldas de Nixella, North Portugal.
Whether this is really the first instance that the occurrence
of a fresh-water Sponge in Portugal has been stated, I
cannot say.
Coming now to Great Britain, we find that Bowerbank (1)
mentions four species, which, according to his nomenclature,
are : —
Spongilla Jlicviatilis, Johnst.
Spongilla lacustris, Johnst.
Spongilla Parfitti, Carter.
Spongilla sceptrijei'a, B.
One of these, Spo7igilla Parfitti, is synonymous with
Ephydatia Millleri, I^iebk. (SeeTopsent, 9, p. 12). Spongilla
sceptrifera, B., is, according to Carter (2, p. 93), probably nothing
but Spongilla {^Ephydatia) fluviatilis ; "for S. fluviatilis grows
abundantly in the same locality [reservoir, Exeter], and the
characteristic spicule represented by Dr. Bowerbank (/. c. fig.
17) is nothing more than a detached frustule of the diatom
Asterionella, like A. foniiosa'' Bowerbank's type specimen
124 • The Irish Naturalist.
was without genimules, so that a final decision is impossible.
Adding to the three species which are thus left, Sp07igilla
fi'agilis, mentioned b}^ Carter (3, p. i8), as occurring in the
River Wye, near Hereford, we find the British Fauna of
fresh-water Sponges to consist of
Ejispongilla lacitsiris, Autt.
Spongilla fragilis, Ivcidy,
Ephydatia MiiUeri, Lieb,
Ephydatia Jliiviatilis^ Aiitt.
We scarcel}^ need to believe that this is all. It is very
likely that the fifth .species which is common to France and
German)^ viz., Trochospo?igilla horrida, will some da}^ be found
in Great Britain, and perhaps others in addition.
We now come to Irish Spongillidae. I will state right
at the beginning that Dr. Scharff's material comprises,
besides E2cspo7ioilla lacustris and Ephydatia Jiuviatilis, two
species which are of undoubted American origin, viz.,
Hetc7'oineye7iia Ryderi, Potts, and 7uJ?ella pe?insylva7iica, Potts.
Only the former of the two species contained gemmules, but
the skeleton spicules of Tzibella perinsylvaiiica^cs:^ so character-
istic, that I consider an}^ mistake impossible. The case was
more difficult with a fifth species, also without gemmules,
from Park I^ough, Hungr}^ Hill. It has no resemblance to
any known European species, and of American species I can
identify it onl}" with Ephydatia craterifo7i7tis, Potts. With
this form it agrees both in the general character of its vSkeleton-
spicules, and especially in certain small spicules scattered
through the tissues, which may be immature amphidiscs (for
details see p. 128). A quite satisfactory identification will be
possible only when material w^ith gemmules is found. But as
I hear from Dr. vScharff that no scientific person lives within
50 miles of Park Lough, some time may elapse, before such
can be obtained. A sixth and last species, Ephydatia Miilleri,
I received through the kindness of my friend, Mr. S. R.
Christophers, who collected it last summer during a walking
tour in Ireland at McHugo Island, Lough Rea, Galway.
The specimens are again without gemmules, but the skeleton-
vSpicules of this species are so characteristic, that an error in
identification is not likely.
The Fresh-water Sp07iges of Irela?id. 125
The following therefore are the Fresh-water Sponges so far
found in Ireland : —
1. Euspongrilla acustris, Autt. Camlough River, Co. Armagh;
Dry drain, Killakeen. Probably common throughout the
country.
2. Ephydatia fluviatilis, Autt. River Barrow ; Raheny ponds, Co.
Dublin. Probably common throughout the country.
3. Ephydatia lYIuIIeri, Lieberktihn. McHugo Island, Lough Rea,
Galway. 150 feet above sea level.
4. } Ephydatia crater if orm is, Potts. Park Lough, Hungry Hill.
300 feet above sea level.
5. Hetcrotneycnia Ryder i, Potts. Lough Doon, near Dingle.
1,000 feet above sea level.
6. Tubella pennsylvanica, Potts. Columbkille Lough, Bally-
shannon. 100 feet above sea level.
In this list we notice the important fact that the eastern
part of Ireland possesses only common European forms (Nos.
I and 2), but that the American species (Nos. 4, 5 and 6) are
found only along the west coast, and there, so far, only one
European species (No. 3) has been obtained.
How can we account for the occurrence of those American
Spongillidae in Ireland ? Wallace (12, pp. 364 and 365) men-
tions several flowering plants, viz. : — Spiranthes Romanzoviana,
Sisyrinchium a7igustifolium and EriocatUon septangular c, which
are American, and yet have been found in the west of Ireland,
and he thinks that these American plants, together with a few
arctic and alpine plants, ma}^ be the remnants of a vegetation
once spread over the whole north temperate zone. Similarly,
we might explain the occurrence of American Spongillidae in
Ireland. But, at least in the case of the Spongillidse, it seems
to me quite as likely that such forms migrated from North
America to Ireland. The formation of gemmules gives to the
Spongillidae such chances of dispersal, as only few animals
enjoy, comparable in fact to the dispersal of plants by means
of seeds. In the February number of this journal Mr. G.
H. Carpenter recorded from the Mitchelstown Caves, Co.
Tipperary, a collembolan, Sinella cavernicola, almost, and a
spider, Porrhommamyops, quite indistinguishable from species
inhabiting the Kentucky and other North American caves.
But insects too are very easily dispersed. Only in case of the
discovery in Ireland of American animals whose presence
could not be explained by dispersal in recent times, should
126 The Irish Naturalist.
we be obliged to accept Wallace's theory as to a more or less
uniform fauna and flora once spreading over the whole north
temperate zone. In any case, it is significant that of American
forms, with the exception of a few plants, only such animals
have been found in Ireland as might easily have migrated
there. Three agents may have served in carrying sponge-
gemmules from North America across to Ireland — winds,
ocean currents, and birds. Strong winds might carry dried
gemmules almost any distance, like plant-seeds, and the
position of Ireland, together with its western winds favours
such a possibilit}^ The Gulf Stream might have carried
gemmules or even entire Sponges containing gemmules, loose
or attached to floating timber, from North American rivers
to Ireland. When once arrived on the Irish shore their
further dispersal to higher levels must have been a com-
paratively simple matter. Similar cases must have happened
often enough. Fresh- water Sponges, if they had, as we
suppose, their ancestors in marine forms, must in any case
have travelled inland and to higher levels. However, I do
not know for how long a period gemmules can stand entire,
or partial immersion in sea-water. Finally, we may look to
birds as agents in the dispersal of gemmules from N.
America to Ireland. Wallace (11, vol. I., p. i6) says that
* small and weak birds are often carried accidentally across
great wadths of ocean by violent gales.' — * No less than sixty-
nine species of American birds have occurred in Europe,
most of them in Britain and Heligoland.' Such birds would
naturally first alight at the west coast ot Ireland, and would
be more liable to leave any gemmules there than at sub-
sequent resting-places. Again, a number of migratory birds,
common to Europe and America, regularly visit Greenland
(Wallace, 11, vol. II., p. 138). It is possible that, even by such
roundabout methods, gemmules could be carried from America
to Greenland and thence to Ireland. A similar communica-
tion via Iceland seems less probable, as, although there are no
less than forty species of annual visitants from Europe to
Iceland, there seems to be no regular inter-communication
between N. America and Iceland (Wallace, 11, vol. I., p. 198).
The explanation of the fact that these Sponges, once arrived
in the west of Ireland, did not spread out further east, is
perhaps that competition was too severe.
The Ff'esh-water Sp07tges of Ireland. 127
I now propose to give a short description of the Spongillidae
so far found in Ireland, with the addition of Sp07igillafragilis.
By doing so the following list will at the same time include
all British Spongillidse and thus be useful to British collectors
too. Besides, S. fragilis is sure to be found some day in
Ireland, being, next to Eusp07igilla lac2istris, the most common
fresh-water Sponge of Europe and N. America.
Euspongrilla, Vejdovsky.
Skeleton-spicules oxeote, generally smooth, accompanied by short,
either straight or curved, smooth or rough flesh-spicules. Gemmules
always single, and covered with oxeote and almost always spined
spicules.
Euspongrilla lacustris, Autt. [PI. 4, fig. 1.] Forming finger-like
branches arising from an encrusting base. Colour grass-green, yellowish,
brown. Skeleton-spicules, smooth oxea, straight or slightly curved,
gradually pointed. Flesh-spicules slightly curved, minutely spined.
Gemmules globular, the covering spicules strongly spined, and more or
less curved, tangentially or radially arranged.
Habitat : Camlough River, Co. Armagh (R. LI. Praeger) ; dry drain,
Killakeen, Co. Cavan (R.I. A. Flora and Fauna Committee) ; probably in
numerous other localities in Ireland. Common throughout Great
Britain, Europe generally, Siberia, and, according to Potts (7, p. 200),
the most widely distributed fresh-water sponge of the United States.
[Spong-illa, Wierzejski.
With the characters of Euspongilla, but gemmules in groups of two to
thirty enclosed by a common covering. (Often considered as subgenus
of Euspongilla).
Spong-illa fragrilis, Leidy. (Plate 4, fig. 2). Encrusting, never
branching, surface smooth. Colour from light grey to brown, rarely
green. Skeleton-spicules straight or very slightly bent, rather abruptly
pointed, smooth. With little spongin, therefore easily broken. Covering
spicules of gemmules generally larger than those of Euspongilla laciisiris,
straight or curved, with numerous minute spines. No flesh-spicules.
Habitat : Not yet found in Ireland. Occurs in England (River Wye,
near Hereford), France, Germany, Bohemia, Galicia, Russia, and next
to Euspongilla laaistris, the most widely distributed fresh-water sponge
of North America: (Potts, 7, p. 200).]
Ephydatia, Lamouroux.
With either smooth or rough skeleton-spicules, or with both. The
gemmules surrounded by radially-arranged amphidiscs of a single type
only. The rotules with star-shaped margins.
Ephydatia f luviatllis, Autt. (Plate 4, fig. 3). Encrusting, massive.
Emerald green to light yellow-brown. Skeleton-spicules smooth,
fusiform, slightly bent, gradually pointed. The shafts of the amphidiscs
smooth or spined, twice as long as the diameter of the rotules ; rays of
the rotules deeply cut.
I2S The hish Nahiralist.
Habitat : River Barrow (Mr. T. Greene) ; Raheny ponds, Co. Dublin
(Dr. R. F. Scharff); probably common throughout the country —Great
Britain, France, Germany, Bohemia, Galicia, Russia, Italy, and throughout
the Eastern and Middle United States generally.
Ephydatia Miillerl, Lieberklihn. (Plate 4, fig. 4). Encrusting,
with smooth surface, sometimes with short branches. Green, yellow,
yellowish brown, white. Skeleton-spicules straight or slightly bent,
suddenly pointed, smooth or rough, or smooth and rough spicules mixed.
Shaft of the amphidiscs short, rays of the rotules smooth or indented.
Habitat : McHugo Island, Lough Rea, Loughrea, Galway (Mr. S. R.
Christophers), about 150 feet above sea level. —England (River Exe,
Devonshire), France, Germany, Bohemia, Russia. Probably also in the
United States, but Potts gives no locality, as he fuses this species with
E. fliiviafilis.
Our Irish material consists of a few small circular patches, each about
10 mm. in diameter and i or 2 mm. in thickness, of yellowish grey colour,
when alive. Its skeleton-spicules appear shoit and stout, suddenly
pointed, both the smooth and rough variety of spicules are present,
measuring about 0*25 by 0*02 mm.
Ephydatia crateriformis, Potts. (Plate 4, fig. 5). Thin, encrust-
ing. Colour of gemmules white or yellowish. Skeleton-spicules slender,
gradually pointed, slightly spined. Tubule of the gemmule standing at
the centre of a crater- like depression.
Habitat : (doubtful) : Park Lough, Hungry Hill, 300 feet above sea-
level (R. I. A. Flora and Fauna Committee), — Occurs in various localities
in North America (for details see Potts, 7, p. 229).
We have only two specimens from the Irish locality. They are small,
uneven, somewhat lobular masses, about 10 mm. in diameter and 4 mm.
in height. The skeleton-spicules are slender, o"2i to 0'33 mm. by 0007
mm., straight or only very little bent, slightly spined, often irregularly
inflated, and such inflated portions of the spicules are always free from
spines. The corresponding spicules as described and figured by Potts
measure 0*27 by o-oi mm., and show no such inflations. The Irish
specimens contained no gemmules, but scattered throughout the tissue
of the sponge there are exceedingly slender spicules with swollen ends,
with most minute spines which may be immature amphidiscs, measuring
0-036 to 0'045 mm. by 0*0025 i^m. Potts (7, p. 229) describes similar
spicules in his American material, measuring about 0*062 by o'oo3 mm.
Hetcromeyenfa, Potts.
Skeleton-spicules as in Ephydatia. The gemmules surrounded by
intermingled amphidiscs of two tj'pes, whose shafts are of unequal length*
The proximal rotules of all rest upon the chitinous coat ; the outer
extremities of the less numerous rotules project beyond the others.
Hetcromeycnia Rydcrl, Potts. Light green, massive. Skeleton
spicules fusitorm, gradually pointed, entirely spined, except at their
ends. Rotules of long amphidiscs with three to six short recurved
hooks. Rotules of short amphidiscs with straight rays.
The Fresh-water Spo?iges of Ireland. 129
Habitat: Lough Doon, near Dingle, 1,000 feet above sea-level (R. I. A
Flora and Fauna Committee). — United States : from Florida to Nova
Scotia, and from the Atlantic coast to Iowa. (Potts, 7, p. 243).
The Irish specimens are in shape of small thin patches, i or 2 mm. in
thickness, one of them with a conical elevation 4 mm. in height, bearing
an osculum on its side. In giving the dimensions of the spicules we add
Potts's measurements in brackets: skeleton-spicules 0*22 by o-oo8 to
0-0I2 mm. (Potts 0*317 by o"oi5 mm.); long amphidiscs 0*052 by 0-005
mm. (Potts 0*0507 by 0*006 mm.) ; short amphidiscs 0*024 mm. (Potts
0*03 mm.).
Tubella, Carter.
Skeleton-spicules smooth or spined, pointed or rounded off at the
extremities. Gemmules with unequal trumpet-shaped amphidiscs of
which the larger rotule rests upon the chitinous coat. The margins of
these larger rotules generally entire.
Tubella pennsylvanica, Potts. Gray or green. Minute, encrust-
ing. Skeleton-spicules extremely variable as to length and curvature ;
rounded or pointed at the ends ; entirely spined. Margin of the large
rotule of the amphidiscs entire, that of the small rotule occasionally
notched.
Habitat : Columbkille Lough, Ballyshanuon, 100 feet above sea level
(Dr. R. H. Creighton^y United States ; Lehigh River and tributaries ;
also generally throughout the Eastern United States (Potts, 7, p. 251).
The largest of the Irish specimens is an encrusting mass, 25 by 20 mm.
and 7 mm. in height, with a corrugated but smooth surface, bearing 8
or 9 oscula with a diameter of i mm. or less. Three varieties of skeleton-
spicules can be distinguished : (i) strongly spined, curved spicules, with
blunt ends, which are as a rule the thicker, the shorter, from 0*07 by
0*018 mm. to 0*116 by 0*013 mm. (2) Slightly spined, curved or
straight spicules with pointed ends, of pretty uniform dimensions,
0*16 by 0*005 mm. to 0*19 by o'ooS mm. (3) Slightly spined, shylote
spicules, few in number, 0*15 by 0*005 mm, Potts gives the average of
the skeleton spicules as 0*165 by 0*0075 mm.
The specimens upon which this account is based, are not
the outcome of systematic investigation. What results such
an investigation would bring is difficult to foresee. But I am
sure that even the highest expectations would not be
disappointed, and I would not be surprised if the majority of
American Spongillidse were discovered some day in the West
of Ireland. A fresh-water station after the model of those in
Germany and Bohemia would be the best means towards the
study of the remarkable Fauna and Flora of Western Ireland.
I will not conclude this paper without expressing my great
indebtedness to the following gentlemen : — Dr. Scharflf, for
^ Erroneously recorded as Euspongilla lacusiris, Irish Nat., vol. ii.,
p. 322.
130 The Irish Naturalist.
most of the material and valuable information regarding
the Irish Flora and Fauna ; Dr. Weltner, Berlin, for having
kindl}^ identified Hete?v??teye7iia Ryderi ; Dr. Gunther, F.R.S.,
and Mr. Kirkpatrick for having sent me fragments of type-
specimens from the British Museum ; and finally, Mr. S. R.
Christophers for specimens of Ephydatia Millleri.
LITERATURE
1. BowERBANK, J. S. "A Monograph of the British Spongiadse."
4 vols.
2. Carter, H. J. ** History and Classification of the known species
oi Spongillay A.M.N.H. (5) vol. vii., 1881, pp. 77-107.
3. Carter, H. J. " Note on Spongilla fragilis, Leidy., and a new
species of Spongilla from Nova Scotia." A.M.N.H. (5) vol. xv.,
pp. 18-20.
4. Garbini, a. " Contributo alia studio delle Spongille Italiane."
Accad. Agriadt. Verona {3), vol. Ixx., 1894, 23 pp., 3 figs.
5. MEREJKOWSKY, C. " Etudes sur les Eponges de la Mer Blanche."
Mem. Acad. St. Petersbonrg, vol. xxvi., 1879.
6. Petr, F. "Evropsk^HoubySladkovodnl." [European Spongillidae].
Chrudimi, 1894.
7. Potts, E. "Contributions towards a synopsis of the American
forms of Fresh-water Sponges, with descriptions of those named
by other authors and from all parts of the world." Proc, Acad.
Science, Philadelphia, 1887, pp. 158-279, 8 pis.
8. ToPSENT, E. *' Note sur la faune des Spongillides de France."
Bull. Soc. Zool. France, vol. xviii (1893), p. 176.
9. ToPSENT, E. "Etude sur la faune des Spongiaires du Pas-de-
Calais suivie d'une application de la nomenclature actuelle k
la Monographic de Bowerbank." Rev. Biol. Nord France, vol.
vii. (i894-95), pp. 6-28.
10. TRAXiyER L. " Spongilliden der Umgebung von Jaransk." Zool.
Anzeiger, vol. xvii. (1894), pp. 363 and 364.
11. Wai.i,ace, a. R. "The Geographical Distribution of Animals."
2 vols., 1876.
12. Wahace, A. R. " Island lyife." 2nd ed., 1892.
13. Wei^Tner, W. "Die Susswasserschwamme." In " Die Tier-und
Pflanzenwelt des Siisswassers," by O. Zacharias. Vol. I., pp.
186-236. 1891.
14. WeI/Tner, W. " Ueber die Autorenbezeichnung von Spongilla
erinaceus.''^ Sitz. Ber. Ges. naturf. Freimde, Berlin, 1893, No. i, pp.
7-13-
15. WiERZEJSKi, A. " Ueber das Vorkommen von Carterius stepanovii,
Petr, and IJeteronieyenia repens. Potts, in Galizien." Biol. Centralbi,
vol. xii., 1892, pp. 142-145.
EXPI^ANATION OF Pl.ATE \.
All figures are magnified 200 diameters.
Fig. I. Euspongilla lacustris, Autt. From Killakeen, Co. Cavan. — a.
skeleton-spicule ; b. gemmule-spicule ; c. flesh-spicule.
Fig. 2. Spongilla fragilis, Leidy. From Bohemia. (From type specimen
in British Museum, sent to Dr. H. J. Carter by Prof. Vejdovsky).— a.
skeleton-spicules ; b. gemmule-spicules.
The Fresh-water Sponges of Ireland. 131
Figc 3. Ephydatia flziviatilis, Autt, From Raheny ponds, Co. Dublin. — a.
skeleton-spicules ; b. amphidiscs (gemmule-spicules).
Fig. 4. Ephydatia Mulleri, I^ieberklihn. From McHugoIsland, Lough
Rea, Galway. — a. smooth skeleton-spicule ; b. spined skeleton-spicule ;
c.,d. amphidiscs ; e. rotule of amphidiscs. (Figs, c, d., e., copied from
Bowerbank, I. vol. III., pi. LXXXVL, figs. 14, 11, 12).
Fig. 5. ? Ephydatia crateriforniis. Potts. From Park Lough, Hungry
Hills. — a. skeleton-spicules; b. immature (?) amphidiscs; c. mature
amphidiscs. (Fig. c, copied from Potts 7, pi. v, fig. 5/^)
Fig. 6. Heterojiuyenia Ryderi, Potts. From Lough Doon, near Dingle. —
a. skeleton-spicules ; b. short amphidiscs ; c. long amphidiscs ; d.
immature (.?) forms.
Fig. 7. Tubella pennsylvanica. Potts. From Columbkille Lough, Bally-
shannon. — a. skeleton-spicules, one of them with pointed, the others
with rounded ends ; b. amphidiscs. (Fig. b, copied from Potts, 7,
pi. xn., fig. i^).
THE ORIGIN OF MKGACEROS-MARL.
BY CLKMKNT RBID, F.LS., F.G.S.
Through the kindness of Mr. W. Williams of Dublin I have
lately had an opportunity of examining a sample of the marl
from which he has obtained skeletons of Cervus giganteus
{inegaceros?) The exact locality is not mentioned, but Mr.
Williams informs me that he " does not think that there is any-
thing exceptional in the place which the clay came from, as
the bogs are spread over a good many miles of country, and
are all of the same character on the central limestone plain
of Ireland, about 120 miles from Dublin." As a minute
examination of this marl has suggested a new explanation of
the mode by which the deer were trapped in such quantities,
I think that it may be interesting to give the results, not
committing ourselves, however, to any opinion as to the
partial or general application of this explanation. Until an
examination of a larger series of specimens can be undertaken
it will be impossible to say whether the peculiar conditions
may not be confined to a single locality, and that elsewhere
the deer were merely bogged in the way suggested by Mr.
Williams in his paper published in 188 1'.
■" W. Williams. — " On the Occurrence of Megaceros Hiberniciis, Owen, in
the Ancient Lacustrine Deposits of Ireland ; with Remarks on the
Probable Age of these Beds." Geol. Mag. (new sen), Dec. XL, Vol. VIIL,
PP- 354-363-
132 The Irish Naturalist.
The deposit is evidently a Chara-m2x\, for though the
calcareous stems are so much decayed as to be scarcely
recognisable, yet decalcified nucules of Chara are abundant.
The only other determinable remains consist of seeds of a few
aquatic and marsh plants, Pondweeds being especially
common. All of the species are of wide range, and throw no
light on the climatic conditions that held during the
Megaceros period. The plants found are as follows : —
Ranunculus aquatilis. Eleocharis pahistris.
Myi'iophylhim spicatu?ii. Carex ?
Littorella laaistris Scirpus ?
Potaviogeton crispus. Chara (several species).
F. prczlongus.
This examination of the matrix suggests a curious, and I
believe till now unrecognised, explanation of the occurrence
of whole skeletons, or of complete heads, of Cerviis megaceros
in such deposits. Those familiar with pools containing
Chara will be well aware of the appearance of shallowness,
and of a solid floor, which is so deceptive. The Chara and
Potainogeto7i ma)^ grow from a depth of several feet, but they
often appear to form a carpet of bright green turf a few inches
under the surface of the clear water. Any animal treading on
this turf would immediately plunge head- foremost into the
water, and the wide-branching antlers of Cervus megaceros
would become entangled amid the Chara stems, and still
tougher Pondweeds, so that the animal would have scarcely a
chance of escape.
If this be the method b}" which the deer were caught, one
would expect to find the remains of stags far more abundant
than those of hinds, and old animals more abundant than
young, though the reverse was probably the case among
the living deer. This disproportionate number of skeletons
of stags has already been recorded by Mr. Williams and other
writers. It would also account for the abundance of heads
without other parts of the skeleton at certain localities ; for
the animal being caught by the antlers, the body might drift
away within the reach of carnivorous animals, while the
entangled head and heavy antlers would sink at the spot
where the deer died.
[ 133 ] ""
PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.
RoYAi, ZooLOGiCAi, Society.
Recent donations comprise a Hawk from Rev. E. Denny, and a number
of fish from F. Godden, Esq. Twelve Monkeys have been acquired by
purchase, and a Pigmy Calf has been born in the Gardens.
7,660 persons visited the Gardens in March.
Dubinin Microscopicai, Ci^ub.
March, 28th.- -The Club met at Prof. G. Coi^E'S, who exhibited a
section of the basalt of Carnmoney, near Belfast, containing the translu-
cent yellow-brown substance that has been called " huUite." He urged
that this substance was really the altered basic glass between the crystals
of the basalt, and exhibited sections from Eskdale in Dumfries and from
Forfarshire in support of this contention, the former containing unaltered
and the latter palagonitic glass.
Mr. F. W. Moore showed Nectria sinopica, Fries, growing on a decaying
orchid pseudo-bulb, part of a plant which had been imported from South
America. This Nectria is rare in Britain, and is reported as only growing
on the Ivy, both in Britain and on the Continent. It is, therefore,
interesting to find it now growing on an Orchid.
Mr. McArdi^E exhibited Lejeunea patens var. cochleata in fruiting condi-
tion, which he collected last year at Anniscaul, Co. Kerry. This form is
remarkable amongst liverworts in having the margin and apex of the
leaves recurved over the lobule, not unlike the orifice of a broad-lipped
shell of a Helix. The plant was first collected at Killarney by
the late Dr. D. Moore, who identified it with specimens gathered by Dr.
Spruce on Mount Tunguragua in Ecuador, and named by him Z, cochleata,
but now Dr. Spruce writes that having compared it rigorously with
L. patens, he thinks it must stand as a variety. It is an additional link
between Tunguragua and Killarney.
Dr. McWeeney showed a specimen of Eiirotium repens with the two
forms of fructification, the imperfect or conidial, and the perfect or
ascigerous, growing from the same mycelium. This common mould of
which the conidial form under the generic name Aspergillus is so familiar,
produces its small yellow peritheria comparatively seldom, and only
under circumstances which are for the most part imperfectly known,
but of which imperfect air-supply is one of the most important. In this
instance however the peritheria were abundantly produced on a surface
of nutrient gelatine, freely exposed to the air. The most mature con-
ceptacles were in the centre of the patch which was an accidental
contamination of a gelatine plate -culture made for another purpose.
Every stage of their development from the corkscrew-shaped mycelia
branch with its enveloping hyphse could be distinctly traced. The
peculiar shape of the ascopores (biconvex with a depressed margin) was
then demonstrated.
Mr. G. H. Carpenter showed a chernetid or " flilse scorpion '' Chthonius
Rayi, from Howth, and remarked that only four of the twenty British
species of this interesting order of arachnids had yet been found in
Ireland.
Mr. J. N. HaIvBERT exhibited Microvelia pygnioea, Duf, a minute
hemipteron of aquatic habit, which he had taken in a marsh near
Ventry, Co. Kerry. The specimen shown was immature, and the
consequent non-development of the elytrae allowed the upper side to be
seen ; the silvery patches of pulusana with which it was covered, gave the
insect a very brilliant appearance. The developed form is very rare.
Haliday was the first to record this insect as British, from specimens
taken near Belfast, but it has since been found in many widely distributed
localities throughout Britain.
134 The Irish Naturalist,
Mr. H. J. Seymour showed Foraminifera from the raised beach at
rortmarnock. These were got from a shelly sand w'hich occurs in the
field adjoining the Portmarnock brickworks, and close to the railway
line. The sand lies beneath a deposit of alluvium and appears to overlie
Glacial gravels. Only a small amount of the sand was examined, and
from it specimens of Polystoviella, Planorlndina, Discorbina, Lagena, and
Btiliniina were obtained. Of these Lagena was the most common after
Polystomella, and one specimen oi Nodosaria was found.
Irish Fiei,d CIvUB Union.
Galway Conference and Excursion. — The first conference of the
Field Clubs of Ireland, under the auspices of the lately-formed Irish Field
Club Union, will be held at Galway, on July ii to 17. The proceedings
will include a conference on Field Club work, and a number of excursions
to the most interesting localities in that famous and beautiful region, such
as the Arran Islands and the mountains and lakes of Connemara — districts
of surpassing interest to the naturalist and antiquarian, and of great
picturesqueness.
Arrangements have been made for special trains and steamers for the
conveyance of the party, which it is expected will be a very large one.
In addition to the members of the four Irish Field Clubs, representatives
of several English scientific societies have signified their intention of
being present, and there can be no doubt that this gathering will mark
an important epoch in natural history work in Ireland. Tickets will be
issued to members of Irish Field Clubs at surprisingly low rates, and
early application for tickets is recommended, as the accommodation avail-
able places a limit on the number of the party. Applications will be
received by the Secretaries of the various Clubs from this date forward.
BEI,FAST NATURAI.ISTS' F1E1.D ClvUB.
March 28. — In connection with the Celtic Class, an entertainment of
Irish music and readings was held. The report of the Celtic Section was
read by the Secretary (J. St. Clair Boyd, M.D.). Readings in Irish were
subsequently given by Messrs. George Gibson and P. J, O'Shea. Miss
Cathleen Milligan, Mrs. Wheeler, and Mr. Savile Hardy contributed Irish
songSj Miss Stelfox, Irish airs on the violin, and Mr. Owen Lloyd, Irish
airs on the harp. There was a large attendance.
In our report of the meeting on March 19, mention was omitted of a
paper by Prof. G. A.J.Cole, F. G. S., on the so-called "Hullite" from Cam-
money, in which the author expressed the view that Hullite is not a
distinct mineral form but only altered basic glass. The paper will be
published shortly in the Geological Magazine.
Dubinin Naturausts' Fiei.d Ci.ub.
April, 9. — The President (Mr. G. H. Carpenter, B. Sc.I in the chair.
Prof. E. J. McWeeney, M.D., gave a communication on a fungoid disease
of Mangel-Wurzel which has lately appeared in Ireland. The fungus
attacks the leaves and especially the succulent root of the plant, produc-
ing dark brown discoloration. It was first found by Dr. Franks of the
Agricultural College, Berlin, in Germany in the autumn of 1892, and
named by him Phoma beta. Prof T. Johnson, D.Sc, and Mr. D. M'Ardle
took part in the discussion that followed. Dr. McWeeney then exhibited
in the lantern micro-photographs of yeast, by Mr. Allan Swan of Bush-
mills, showing the spores of this plant.
The Secretary subsequently read a paper on " Wild Bird Protection and
Nesting Boxes," by Mr. J. R. P. MASEFIEI.D, M.A., of the North vStafFord-
shire Naturalists' Field Club. The writer describes various forms of nest-
ing boxes and other devices, by means of which he had induced upwards
of thirty species of wild birds to breed in the vicinity of his house. He
made a strong appeal for the protection of the rarer species of British
Proceedi?tgs of Irish Societies. 135
birds Mrs. Lawrenson exhibited some very beautifuj new hybrid
daffodils, and Mr. R. Wei^ch (Belfast), photographs showing the effects
of the great December gale in the North of Ireland
NOTES.
Portraits of Irish IVIcn of Science and of others who have
worked for the Advancement of Science in Ireland. — For
some time I have had it in contemplation to exhibit in a suitable part of
the Museum a collection of portraits of persons identified with the
progress of science in Ireland.
Quite recently a number of portraits having become available for this
purpose, and others, as the result of special correspondence, having been
presented or promised, the time is now close at hand when the collection
can be placed on view.
I therefore desire to make known through the pages of the Irish
Naturalist, that contributions and loans to this collection of portraits of
eminent and acknowledged men of science belonging to the above
denomination will be gratefully accepted.
Circumstances have rendered it desirable that no restriction whatever
should be put upon the style or nature of the portraits so contributed,
no funds being available for securing uniformity. Hence we have
decided to accept oil paintings, lithographs, etchings, or photographs,
and to exhibit them as received, save that suitable frames will be
supplied when needed.
Portraits of Mathematicians, Astronomers, Physicists, Meteorologists,
Geologists, Botanists, Zoologists, Antiquarians, and Numismatists will
be arranged in separate groups. In the cases of those vvho are deceased,
short biographical notices will be attached to the portraits.
V. Bai,!,, Science and Art Museum, Dublin.
BOTANY.
PHANEROGAMS.
Th3 Lesser Burnst (Poterium Sansuisorba, Linn.), in the
North of Ireland. — In Vol. i of the Irish Naturalist, 1892 (p. 81), is
recorded for the first time, the occurrence of the Lesser Burnet in the
North of Ireland. In a large field at Glenmore, near Lisburn, County
Antrim, some patches of the plant growing close together were then
found, with every appearance of being native there. It has continued to
flourish in this spot, and this year, early as the season is (March), it has
unexpectedly been found in another part of the same large field. In
this latter spot, which is distant about three hundred yards from that
mentioned in my former note, there are numerous plants, covering
nearly a square yard. This, I should thinly, tends to confirm the view
that the species is indigenous in the north. It may be added that the
meadow has been known to me for close on forty j^ears, and that at no
time during that period has it been under cultivation.
John H. Davies, Lisburn.
ZOOLOGY.
AMPHIBIANS.
Irish Newts.— All the newts I have hitherto received from various
parts of Ireland, belong to the one species {Molge vulgaris, L. ).^ Further
search for the other species is therefore necessary, chiefly in the Co.
Galway, where the late distinguished naturalist, Mr. M'Calla discovered
a larger kind readily distinguishable, as he remarked, from both male
and female of the Common Newt During the forthcoming visit of the
Irish Field Clubs to Galway, t is to be hoped that the question will be
136 The Irish Naturalist,
determined whefher the large species of newt has since become extinct,
or whether the faculty of taking interest in Natural History matters
has become lost among the inhabitants of the county.
Mr. Thompson records the Common Newt from Belfast and Sligo, and
mentions that Mr. M'Calla had found it at Tuam, and Dr. R. Ball at
Youghal. It has been known from the Co. Dublin for a great many
years. We have received specimens at the Museum of this species from
the following localities : — Cashel, Co. Tipperary (Miss Kelsall) ; Cappagh,
Co. Waterford (R. J. Ussher) ; Armagh (Rev. W. F. Johnson) ; Bushy
Park, Co. Roscommon (A. R. Nichols) ; Waterford (A. Neale) ; Lake
Mentrim, Co. Meath ; Mullingar, Co. Westmeath ; Giant's Causeway,
Co. Antrim ; Raheny and Howth, Co. Dublin (R. F. Scharff) ; Ivucan, Co.
Dublin (J. N. H albert); Borris, Co. Carlow (R. I. Acad. Fauna and
Flora Committee) ; and Cork (R. A, Phillips).
R. F. Scharff, Dublin.
MAMMALS.
Hedg-ehogrs in Captivity. — In Mr. Barrett-Hamilton's paper on
" Irish Mammals " in the Irish Naturalist for this month (March) the
following sentence appears : —
" It is a pit}^ that Mr. Lj^dekker has not given us any notes on the
habits of the Hedgehog in captivity."
Having kept Hedgehogs at different times perhaps a few remarks about
them may be interesting.
When first caught they are very shy, but after a time they learn to
know who feeds them. Hedgehogs will eat almost anything, but as they
belong to the carnivora they must have meat frequently when in captivity
to keep them health}-, besides bread and milk, boiled potatoes, etc.
We had one Hedgehog that would lay his bristles down smooth and
allow himself to be stroked without rolling up. He got so accustomed
to be handled and fed by children that he would draw a little cart made
out of a paste-board box. He was attached to this by a tape passed over
his head with two traces, after the style of the American trotting
harness. He was usually kept in a box with wire on the front of it, but
sometimes made his escape. The garden he dwelt in was large and
walled in, and after two or three days' absence he was generally found
rolled up in a nest of grass and leaves under a bush. We had him about
a year when during one of his outings he was found as usual, but alas !
poor Peter was no more, ^\'■hat was the cause of his demise we cannot
say.
Hedgehogs are not cleanly in their habits, and are generally infested
with fleas. Knowing this, we once spread a white cloth on the ground,
placed a Hedgehog on it and sprinkled it plentifully with Keating's
Insect Powder, when the fleas left it in great numbers, the white cloth
enabling tis to see them. In some houses Hedgehogs are kept for killing
black beetles, and it is said answer the purpose well.
M. Jose Simpson, Ballymena.
The Irish Stoat. — Naturalists will be startled to read in the y^««.
Mag. Nat. Hist, and more fully in the Zoologist, for April, that in the
opinion of Messrs. Oldfield Thomas, and G. E. H. Barrett-Hamilton,
our Irish Stoat must be regarded as a new species, intermediate between
the Stoat of Great Britain and the Weasel. These gentlemen describe
the animal under the name of Futorins hibcrnicus, and point out that it
differs from the British Stoat and approaches the Weasel in its small
size, and the less extent of whitish colour beneath the body. As a
colloquial name the}' suggest " Assogue," an anglicised transliteration of
the Irish name of the animal — Easog There will be, no doubt, much
comparison of Irish with English Piitorii by naturalists, and, if the
distinctions indicated, be found constant, one of the most important
additions to the Irish fauna within recent years will gladly be welcomed.
=— — Ka
^Ije ^vi^lj ^ainvaii&t
Vol. IV. JUNE, 1895. No. 6.
SOME CAUSES OF THE DISINTEGRATION
OF SHEIvIvS.
BY MISS R. HENSMAN.
(Read before the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club, nth December, 1894.)
Thk disintegration of shells was, until quite recently, looked
upon as due to the friction of the sea, which carries un-
inhabited shells backwards and forwards, bringing them into
intimate relations with the land and dashing them against each
other and against the rocks on the coast, and also to the
gradual solvent action of the carbonic acid dissolved in the
water. The aim of my paper is to draw attention to another
and remarkable cause of this disintegration. The presence
of tube-like structures in shells, corals, fossil fish-scales, and
other calcareous bodies has been known for some years, but
it was not known until quite recently to what cause these
tubes were to be attribitted. In 1888 was published a short
paper b}^ Bornet and Flahault in the Journal de Bota7iique
describing two of these tube-like structures as perforating
algse. A year later a fuller paper entitled " Sur quelques
Plantes vivant dans le Test calcaire des Mollusques" was
published by the same authors, in which ten species were
described and illustrated.
We have six species recorded in Ireland. The first to be
found was Gomontia on the shores of Gal way Bay, in the
spring of 1891, by Prof. T. Johnson. Owing to the difficulty
of freely examining these plants and the little general attention
that has been paid to them, we may feel sure that more will
be noticed on the Irish coasts, and even fresh forms dis-
covered when greater research has been made. So far none
are recorded from the North of Ireland. The brown seaweeds,
which are as yet unrepresented, we may expect to be recorded.
A
138 The Irish Naturalist.
Probably we shall find that there are more fresh-water species.
It is due to Bornet and Flahault, that we have had pointed
out the great use of these plants in the economy of nature —
namely, that of shell-destruction. Since Bornet's work,
papers have been published, giving illustrated accounts of
two additional species, one by Batters^ and one by Bommer.
The presence of these organisms can be detected in the
shells of various molluscs, such as razor -shells, limpets,
cockles, periwinkles, by the green, bluish green, or pink
stains which they make. They have been classified according
to their colour, into four groups : —
I. Rhodophyceae (red); 2. Chloropli3^ceae (pure green) ; 3-
Cyanophjxeae or Phycochromacese (blue-green) ; 4. Fungi
(plants colourless, appearing to belong to the fungi).
Care is needed in examining a specimen to make sure that
the plant we are looking at reall}^ penetrates into the shell, as
various algae, especially in the young state when the spores
are germinating, form patches of various colours on the
surface of shells, but never penetrate into their substance.
This mistake fortunatel}^ is easily avoided ; by using one or
other of the following simple tests we can determine whether
the coating is superficial or not. If we scrape the shell with
a sharp instrument (or, if this is not at hand, one'5 nail being
so, answers the purpose admirably) the young germinating non-
perforating seaweeds will be rubbed off, leaving the shell its
original colour. If the shell is penetrated by a shell-
borer this will not be the case, the colouration still being
apparent. Another and perhaps better plan is to break the
shell in two ; if the stain continues to any depth we ma}^ feel
sure that we have a perforating alga. A good deal of infor-
mation can also be obtained by powdering the shell with
pestle and mortar, and observing the powder under the i-inch
objective, or by taking a thin layer of the shell, and looking
at it under the same objective.
For fuller information as to these plants it is necessary to
first remove the calcareous matter and thus set free the plants
themselves for examination. The reagent used is Perenyi's
Fluid, which not only dissolves the carbonate of lime, but
fixes the protoplasm, without destroying the colour. The
^ Conchocelis rosea. E- Batters. Phycological Memoirs, II., 1893.
2 " Note sur Vcrru carta cotiseqiwis," 1892, C. Bommer,
Some Causes of the Disintegration of Shells. 139
action of any acid upon carbonate of lime is well known.
Perforating seaweeds perform the same office as acid, though
in a less rapid manner, upon the shells which they penetrate.
Bornet was the first to point out that they must therefore be
most powerful factors in the work of disintegration.
All these algae attack the shell in the same manner. First
they form a horizontal layer on the outside of the shell, from
this branches develop, and enter into the substance of the
shell until it may be quite honeycombed by them. The
calcareous matter is thus by their agency returned to the
water, where it may again enter into the composition of
marine plants or animals.
One of the commonest species is Goinontia polyrhiza, fre-
quently found, especially in razor-shells. It is readily distin-
guished by the naked eye, owing to its patches of green, mark-
ing the shell, sometimes on one side, sometimes on both,
the depth depending on the age of the plant. At certain
times we notice dark green specks scattered over the sur-
face of the shell ; these are the reproductive organs or
sporangia.
Under the microscope Gomoiitia is recognised by its long
branched green septate filaments, and by the sporangia,
which take definite forms when j'oung. • As they reach
maturity their walls become thick and stratified, root-like
filaments are developed, and the sporangia being detached,
look like independent plants. They were at one time de-
scribed as such under the name of Codiohi7ii polyrhizimi. The
filaments of Gomontia vary greatly in size ; so much so, that
one is extremely liable to mistake the different preparations
for distinct and separate species.
With Gonio7itia we often find Mastigocoleits and Hyella, both
of which stain blue-green or grey. The former can be dis-
tinguished microscopically from the latter by the presence of
heterocysts, and by its tortuous filament, which is of equal
thickness throughout. Looked at with the naked eye, Hyella
shows more numerous patches, the filaments of which are
closer together than Mastigocoleus. On microscopic ex-
amination Hyella usually shows two kinds of filaments,
some long and branched, others composed of a number of
cells.
A 2
140 The Irish NaU^raUst.
Plcdonema terebrans^ an extremely delicate form, can onlj^
be observed after decalcification and subsequent examination,
as it gives no external indication of its presence. Threads of
it are frequently found in preparations of other algae, from
which it is at once distinguished by its long slender segmented
filaments, much interwoven with each other.
The red alga, Conchocelis rosea, first observed by Batters in
1892, stains pink, so its presence can be at once determined :
tests being employed to make sure we are looking at a shell-
borer. The filaments swell out into irregularly-shaped in-
flations, more or less constricted at the joints. In the centre
of each cell of the inflations there is a star-shaped chroma-
tophore.
The shell-destroyers, which are looked upon by Bornet as
belonging to the colourless group of Fungi, are Ostraeoblabe
and Lithopythiufn. The latter has not 3'et been recorded from
this country.
A marine lichen named Verriicaria consequens was, in 1894,
obtained in shells collected at Bundoran b}^ Professor Johnson.
It will perhaps not be out of place here to explain what we
understand by the term lichen. Lichens are compound bodies
consisting of two organisms — a fungus and an alga, variously
associated. The fungus absorbs the required water and
mineral substances ; the algal portion of the lichen, possessing
chlorophjdl, absorbs carbonic dioxide, evolves ox3'gen, and
forms starch, &c., thus supplying the organic food necessary
for the nourishment of the whole plant. We have in this
wa3^ a case of division of labour among organically distinct
plants, to form a S3anbiotic organism, with marked peculiarities
of its own. The fruit of a lichen, which is ahvays formed
entirely of the fungal element, ma3' be open and cup-like
(apothecium), or enclosed in a cellular covering (peri-
thecium). Verrucai'ia consequens has long been known from
the west of Ireland, but M. C Bommer was the first to show,
in 1892, its perforating powers in Belgian specimens. It was
first noticed in limpet-shells ; later on it was observed in
Purpura and acorn barnacles.
On looking at an3^ shells attacked b3^ this lichen, we notice
dark spots as indentations scattered over the surface, the
perithecial fruits of the lichen, formed from the fungal
Some Causes of the Disintegration of Shells. 14I
constituent {Ostracoblabe). On removing one of these fruits
we see that the fungoidal filaments are really attached to it.
A young fruit in course of development shows this still more
clearly. The algal element of Vej^rucaria shows filaments
having a great resemblance to Hyella ccespitosa, though their
form is somewhat altered owing to its living in conjunction
with a fungus and not as an independent organism.
The law of sympathetic selection of colour in nature is well
known. Animals, plants, and insects all display this quality
in a marked degree. Molluscs are apparently not devoid of
this power of selection.
Batters has noticed this fact with regard to the yellow
periwinkle, which lives among Fuci. We may expect shortly
an interesting paper showing the protective colouring adopted
by these molluscs.
I conclude my remarks on the perforating seaweeds with a
list of the Irish species. This is the first time a complete list
of the Irish species has been published. For it and for help
and every facility for examination of the group, I am indebted
to Professor Johnson.
Hyella caespitosa, Boriiet et Flahault— Cloutarf, 1S92, Prof. John-
son, B. and W. coasts of Ireland.
PIcctoneiYia terebrans, Thuret — Clontarf, 1892, Prof. Johnson
and R. Hensman. E. and W. coasts of Ireland
MastliTOCoIeus testarum, Lagerlieim — Roundstone, 1S93, Prof.
Johnson and R. Hensman. E. and W. coasts of Ireland.
Comontla polyrhiza, Bornet et Flahault— Shores of Galway Bay,
1891, Prof. Johnson. E. and W. coasts of Ireland.
Conchocelis rosea, Batters— Clontarf, 1893., Prof. Johnson and R.
Hensman.
Verrucaria consequens, Nyl. — Bundoran, 1894, Prof. Johnson
and R. Hensman. It has since been found on the east coast.
It is probable that all the species mentioned, except C.
rosea, are generally distributed round the coast of Ireland.
142 The Irish Naturalist.
AN ORNITHOLOGICAL EXPLORATION IN DONEGAL,
FERMANAGH, SLIGO, AND ROvSCOMMON.
BY RICHARD J. USSHKR.
(A Report laid before the Royal Irish Academy, 25th May, 1894).
On 3otli May, 1S91, accompanied by Mr. Robert Patterson,
of Belfast, I drove from Donegal to Killybegs. Near Donegal
is Loiigli Easke, on which a colony of Black-headed Gulls
breed. It is in a wooded demesne, the haunt of the Goldcrest.
Chiff-Chaff, Long-tailed Tit, Tree Creeper, Bullfinch and
Nightjar, birds almost entirely absent from the bare regions
of Western Donegal we were about to traverse. Near Killy-
begs we observed Starlings breeding at Bruckliss, where we
were informed they had bred for the first time in 1890.
This spread of the Starling as a breeding species is similar
to the spread of the Missel Thrush earl}^ in this century,
whose advent into Western Donegal is remembered by Mr.
William Sinclair. He states that it had reached Tyrone at
least ten j^ears previously. Missel Thrushes breed near
Killybegs in sites easil}^ reached, probably from the scarcity of
trees. One nested among the rocks on a hill witli Hazel
scrub about it. ...
At Killybegs we derived much information and assistance
from the kindness of our host, Mr. Arthur Brooke, whose local
collection of eggs give evidences of the breeding of many
interesting birds in County Donegal. Among these I may
mention Golden Eagle, Merlin, Peregrine, Ring Ouzel and
Chough, all from this western peninsula ; Merganser and
Woodcock from Lough Easke ; Dunlin from near Ardara ;
Common and Arctic Tern, Great Black-backed Gull and
Storm Petrel from islets round this coast ; Black Guillemot
from Horn Head; Manx Shearwater from Arranmore ; and
Red-throated Diver from near Dungloe. We subsequently
found many of these species in their breeding-haunts. We
found a Lesser Redpoll nesting in a willow beside a road, and
Mr. Brooke says it breeds commonly here. Mr. Brooke has
observed the Whinchat near Killybegs, and Archdeacon Cox
has seen it near Glenties. This is not so surprising when we
bear in mind that it is also a summer visitor to the neigh-
bouring counties of Tyrone, Mayo, and Sligo, though an
exceedingly local bird.
An Ornithological Exploration. i43
On June ivSt, acconipanied by Mr. Brooke, we drove into
an elevated mountain tract on the north side of the pen-
insula, where we met the Golden Plover whistling in its
breeding-haunts. We were led to a range of mountain-cliffs
whence Mr. Brooke had obtained eggs of Choughs this year.
It was the first inland breeding-place of this species I had
seen, a fissure in the face of a high rough cliff, overlooking
a valley that led down to a gorge in another range about a
mile off, through an opening in which we could see the still
more distant sea. Choughs were heard by us in another glen,
in the cliffs of which we were told they breed, about a mile
from the sea.
Beside a lonely lake in these mountain wilds was a solitary
cottage with a few Elders beside it, the only attempt at bushes.
There we were surprised to see the Spotted Fly-catcher, a bird
associated with more luxuriant scenes, but we found it here
and there through Western Donegal during our tour. We
then ascended and crossed one of the highest mountains in
the district, and while doing so we beheld a Golden Eagle
come flying along, almost over us, pertinaciously pursued
by a pair of croaking Ravens, one of which continued to
make stoops at it from above, apparently striking it at times.
Besides the Ravens we saw a small falcon, probably a Merlin,
making repeated stoops at the Eagle. The latter continued
to fly steadily along with an occasional flap of its enormous
wings, whose upcurved primaries were distinguishable. It
passed away still pursued by the Ravens.
We then visited the Eagle's nest from which had been taken a
single Qgg in April. On the further slope of the mountain we
found avast deep coombe containing a good-sized and evidently
very deep lake, beyond which, beneath another great descent,
lay the sea. The rugged slope below us led down to a
precipice which overlooked the lake. Each of us then
descended with the rope round him, and having passed an
overhanging piece of rock that formed a canopy, came at once
to the recess in which was built the huge nest. It was a
broad platform of coarse heather-stems which here grow to a
great size and were bare, probably having been built into the
foundation of the nest for years. There was no cavity in it,
but the top or bed for the eggs consisted of dried tufts of
Wood-rush. I found the cranium of a Hare and a feather of
144 ^^^^' ^^'^^^^ ISlatujatist.
the Kagle. Previously to 1S91 it was last occupied in 1SS7,
when two young Eagles were taken from it in Ma}^ the nest
then containing some hares and a grouse. Since 1887 the
Eagles had brought out their broods unmolested in the sea
cliffs. In 1891 before the breeding season two Eagles were
said to have been shot b)^ a farmer. It is the only place in
Donegal where any continue to breed. A gentleman told us
that he had formerly shot Eagles off their nest near Eough
Easke, and further north we were told by Colonel Crampton
Lees that Eagles used to breed between Errigal and Muckish.
On June 2nd, we passed through Ardara, and walked through
a marshy tract separated from the sea by sandhills. In this
niar.sh Snipe and Lapwings were breeding numerousl}', and on
the drier portion covered with tussocks of coarse grass I
started a Dunlin from her nest containing four eggs. It was
overshadowed by the long grass and comfortably lined with
liner grass. We saw and heard quite a number of Dunlins,
whose twirring note is so unlike that of other species. I learn
from Mr. J. Steele-ElHot, who visited this marsh on 8th June,
1892, that he found five Dunlins' nests there.
'"" Driving towards Portnoo, through a stony tract, in which
were small lakes, we found a number of Common Gulls
assembled on a small grassy island in one of them. On ex-
amining the spot we found twenty-three nests, recently de-
spoiled of all their eggs, and one nest containing eggs ready
to hatch, as the young birds were squeaking in them. We
subsequently found a few nests of the Common Gull on islets
in lakes near Dungloe. This species breeds in the barer
parts of Donegal and Western Connaught, and a very few on
one of the Kerry isles, but further south than this it is not
believed to breed, nor anj^where on the eastern side of Ireland,
where it is exclusively a winter visitor. It is thus the most
local of our six breeding species of gulls, and Ireland is the
southern limit of its breeding-range in Western Europe.
Passing Portnoo we drove to Glenties. It was getting dusk,
and in more than one place where there were low trees or
bushes we remarked Cuckoos collecting to roost, as they are
wont to do in bare tracts like this district wherever there is a
little covert. We often met with Cuckoos, though the Magpie
seems to be a scarce bird in Western Donegal.
An OrnUJioIogical Exploration. 14^ •
On June 3rd, we drove from Glenties by Doochery Bridge
to Dungloe, through one of the wildest, most mountainous
districts I have ever seen (without ascending to any great
altitude). Bird life was exceedingly scarce, an occasional
Sandpiper by a stream, or Ring Ouzel perched on a rock, but
as we approached Dungloe we passed some small lakes con-
taining islands, covered with bushes or low trees, in which
Herons were nesting conspicuously, for want of better trees.
We saw a remarkable instance of this on an island in Lough
Aleck More, where an ancestral nest of Heron measured 4 feet
9 inches across, having evidently been added to from year to
year until it was as large as the Golden Eagle's nest we had
visited. It stood on the bare skeleton of what had been a low
tree not more than six or eight feet above the ground. On
other islands and rocks in this lake, and Lough Meela, on the
other side of Dungloe, Common Terns, Black-headed Gulls,
and a fevr pairs of the Common Gull were breeding.
Next da}^ on Lough Meela we observed two Sheldrakes
and a Lesser Black-backed Gull. Swifts were numerous on
the lake and about Dungloe as well as at Glenties, being found
in the West of Ireland, as elsewhere, wherever there are build-
ings of sufiicient size for them to nest in.
We then visited the small mountain lake which is the
breeding place of the Red-throated Diver. It was the most
elevated and perhaps the most lonely of a number of small
lakes some miles from Dungloe and from the sea. We saw
the pair of Divers, whose dark plumage assimilated to the
leaden hue of the waves of this lake. It partially overflowed
on one side, and its edges were flat and so wet that we sank ,
to the ankle at almost every step. In places these margins
were mats of herbage, chiefly buck-bean, which yielded under
one. On such a margin we were shown the nesting-hollow,
scraped out with a peaty bottom on the (t(\%^ of the water, a
little vegetation fringing and partly concealing it. We saw
the old nesting-site of last year, which was similar. We were
told that the male usually remained on the lake while the
female was hatching, but that they sometimes go to the sea
to fish, and return flying to the lake late in the evening with a.
loud laughing cry, especially before rain.*' Both birds kept
Jtogether, and. always at the side of the lake furthest from us.
We were told that the Diver was. about to lay, but the fact i«.
A3
14^ The Irish Naturalisl.
that, since the discovery of this species breeding in Ireland,
both first and second ckitches are regularly taken for col-
lectors, one gentleman in England having received three
clutches one season from near Dungloe, probably indicating
a second pair of birds. The Red-throated Diver will soon be
driven from its breeding haunts in Donegal unless it can be
protected, if it be not too late already.
On our way to Gweedore the driver remarked that Thrushes
and Blackbirds, which we rarely saw, were more numerous in
winter, thus confirming the observation of Rev. A. H. Delap
to the same effect concerning the western woodless parts of
Donegal.
On June 5th, embarking in a boat, we sailed round Owey
Island, the western side of which is full of fissures in which
a number of Black Guillemots appeared to be breeding, as we
saw more of them about the spot than I have ever seen else-
where. A pair of Great Black-backs seem to have their nest
on a lofty stack of rock. We saw Swifts, too, off this remote
island.
On Innishfree we found three Turnstones, two of which
were in full breeding-plumage. It is the third instance in
which I have met with Turnstones off the Irish coast in June,
but apparently not breeding. We also saw a Dunlin in
breeding-plumage. We saw a great number of adult Gannets
throughout the day, though they do not breed nearer than
Ailsa Craig, also many Manjc Shearwaters. Choughs were
seen on the coast, which is rather low and sand3% and after
landing we were shown a most peculiar inland breedrng-^^lace
of this bird.
We had come up the estuary of a little river to a village.
Proceeding inland over a bare tract, chiefly rock, we came to
a bridge over this river about a mile and a half from the open
sea ; above this bridge the river flowed through a low narrow
gorge in the granite, with perpendicular sides. On one side,
where a deep part of the river occurs, the rock overhangs,
forming a canopy over a receding ledge or shelf on which the
Chough's nest is placed. We saw the Choughs issue from it,
and the rock beneath the canopy covered with their dung.
Their eggs had been taken from this nest on previous years.
Colonel Crampton Lees has seen a flock of forty-three Choughs
about the estuary in autumn.
A?i Ornithological Bxploratioii, 147
tn the little village near the sea we saw Goldfiuches feeding
their young in an Apple-tree. The owner said that several
nests of Goldfinch had been built the same season in this and
the adjoining tree, which are the only apple-trees in this very
bare part of the country. A Missel Thrush had her nest in
an ash in the same small garden. I have remarked the nests
of Chaffinch and Missel Thrush close together, the smaller
bird evidently seeking the vicinity of her stronger neighbour
to ward off Magpies.
On June 6th and 7th, we explored Horn Head, a mountain-
peninsula, which, the proprietor told us, measured thirteen
miles round, rising to a height of five hundred feet. It is one
of the largest, if not the largest, breeding-place of sea- fowl in
Ireland. We went round the cliff-tops, and I also went round
their base in a boat. For miles and miles the great colony
continues, the cliffs being thickly populated up to about two
hundred feet from the water, the birds becoming above that
much fewer. One cannot see them readily at close quarters
as on the Saltees, but one gets some magnificent general
views as at the Campbell. There is not a great variety of
species : Kittiwakes, Razor-bills, Guillemots, and Puffins, form-
ing the great majority of the bird-life. There are colonies of
Herring Gulls and Cormorants. We did not see a Black-
backed Gull of either species, nor did we identify the Common
Gull, which is more of a '* lyough Gull," as it is called. We
were shown a pair of Peregrines, the female bird proving by
her outcries and actions that she had eggs or young. Our
guide, who takes young Peregrines, says that three pairs breed
at different points of the Head, and the proprietor, Mr. Stewart,
can remember when three pairs of Eagles bred round these
cliffs (doubtless White-tailed Eagles), and that once four pairs
had bred there the same year. The last Eagles bred there as
late as 1880, but none have since done so. We were shown two
of their breeding sites, in oneof which were the remainsof a nest.
We saw Choughs feeding near the Campbell, and flying out
of a low cliff near the entrance of Dunfanaghy Harbour, where
they breed. They seem to avoid the great precipices tenanted
by other birds, but a pair breed annually in a small creek close
below inhabited houses. I saw a Raven on the higher cliffs,
and a Black Guillemot and Sheldrake at the entrance of the
harbour,
A 4
148 The Irish Naturalist.
As we were walking round the tops of the higher cliffs,
practically on a mountain-top, we met a female Ring Ouzel \
which chuckled and displayed herself close to us, to lure us ;
from her young—just able to fly. We had met with the Ring r.
Ouzel from time to time in the mountainous and rocky parts
of Western Donegal, much lower down than it is usually found
in other counties. ;
On June 8th, I proceeded alone to Knniskillen, where I was
informed by Mr. Thomas Plunkett, the well-known antiquarian,
that he has often taken Choughs' eggs at Knockmore, a
mountain in Co. Fermanagh, about ten miles from the sea.
I had heard of this nesting-site of Choughs from another
gentleman.
On June 9th, taking a boat, I sailed twelve miles down Lower
Lough Erne, a splendid lake abounding in islands covered with
natural wood, chiefly of oak, tracts covered with which are
preserv^ed on the neighbouring estates. I here became
acquainted with several species of birds, new to me, in their
breeding haunts.
At Devenish we put up a pair of Shovellers from a reed*
bed. As we advanced we found Mergansers numerous, nearly
every island seeming to be inhabited by a pair. At an island
where is a large ancient cross we met with Redshanks breed-
ing, one of which sat on the top of a White-thorn bush uttering
his alarm-cr3^ I here saw six Mergansers and six Tufted
Ducks, and found the nest of the latter species in a bank or
old fence among long grass, black- thorn, scrub, etc. It
contained seven fresh eggs.
While passing an open reach of the lake we saw a pair of
Great Crested Grebes swimming, with little more to be seen '
than the top of the back and the long thin stick-like neck and '
quaint tufts or tippet. Their note was not unlike the croak
of a Rook, and when diving they sank quietly forwards with-
out a splash.
We came to a small stony islet over which hovered a
vociferous cloud of Black-headed Gulls. It was strewn with '
their numerous nests, most of which had two or three eggs ; .
some contained young. Some Wild Ducks and Mergansers .
flew up, but several Tufted Ducks swam off low in the water,
of these we found two nests with eggs among tall grass or '
An Oniitlwlogical Exptoratio7i. 'Y49
flags. This species is rapidly iiicreasing on Xough Erne in
the breeding season. . . .,...i;:
We then rowed to a remote island, its centre occupied with
natural wood, with a broad beach on which stones of various
sizes occurred. On this beach a scattered colony of some
twelve or fifteen pairs of Lesser Black-backed Gulls w^ere
breeding. It is twenty miles from the open sea, and, except
on a mountain-bog in Co. Antrim, is the only inland colony
of these birds I have seen, though others exist in other lakes.
The nests were here and there among the stones on the beach,
some having evidently been robbed. Common Sandpipers
were numerous. On this island I heard the song of the
Garden Warbler, now so familiar from my acquaintance with
it in the Shannon Valley. The late Sir Victor Brooke knew
it well at Castle Caldwell, lower down the lake, and considered
that there must be ten or twelve pairs in the place in 1869.
At Knniskillen I was shown a Spotted Crake in the posses-
sion of Mr. lyUnham, which was shot with another of the
. same species late in the summer or early in the autumn of
1890, by George Husband.s, on Upper I^ough Krne, where he
saw two more.
On June loth, I visited the mill-dam at Castle Irvine, a marsh
abounding in breeding Mallards, Teal, Snipe and I^apwings.
^ Here a male Shoveller got up, and Captain D' Arcy Irvine, who
accompanied me, as well as the late Sir Victor Brooke, told
me that Shovellers breed there. I also learned that Crossbills
had remained and presumably bred at Castle Irvine the three
preceding 3^ears, though previously unknown there.
On the road from CoUooney to Hollybrook, Co. Sligo, I
was struck by the tameness of a pair of Mergansers, male and
female, which were quite unconcerned at my gazing at them
while the car stopped. They were on a small open lake about
a hundred yards from me — overlooked from the road.
Hollybrook, the seat of the late Colonel Ffolliott on lyough
Arrow, occupies a beautifully wooded tract between limestone
heights at the back, rising into cliffs (the home of the
. Peregrine) and the lake shores in front, which are indented
and covered with a tangle of natural wood, several large
: islands lying not far off. On one of these I saw a pair of
Dunlins in breeding plumage, and Ringed Plovers and Red-
shanks, which were excited about their eggs or young. We
J50 The Irish Naturalist,
also saw Tufted Ducks, which in 1 893 appeared to be much
more numerous. Several of their nests were taken on I^ough
Arrow in June, 1892, by Mr. H. L. Jameson, who also took three
eggs of Great Crested Grebe, and discovered between I^ough
Arrow and Bally mote many Whinchats, some with young,
a species reported to me by Colonel Ffolliott, but which I did
not see there. I saw, however, Great Crested Grebes, and a
Woodcock sitting on her eggs. Reed Buntings are always to
be found hatching at this season on the islands in Irish lakes.
It was reserved for my second visit to Hollybrook, in 1893,
to discover there the Garden Warbler singing in two parts of
the demesne. I observed it morning and afternoon and on
successive days, so that it is evidently a regular visitor there.
On June 12th, accompanied by Colonel Ffolliott, I visited
lyough Key, contiguous to the demesne of Rockingham, Co.
Roscommon, an exceedingly beautiful, wooded lake, with
numerous islands abounding in bird-life, being preserved.
We passed a Lesser Black-backed Gull perched on a stone,
and visited two small islets crowded as thickly as possible
with nests of the Black-headed Gull, which had hard set eggs
or young : among these I found a nest of Tufted Duck contain-
ing thirteen eggs with some flags growing round it. In every
part of the lake we saw Tufted Ducks and Mergansers, usually
paired, showing that the females had not begun to hatch.
We also put up three male Shovellers, and in a reed-bed saw a
Great-crested Grebe. On a small islet within a short distance
of Rockingham House and terrace-garden I found five nests,
with two and three eggs each, of Common Tern among large
stones at the verge of the scanty soil of the island, and
backed by the bushes growing thereon.
On Hermitage Island a colony of Cormorants were breeding
in Ash-trees, which preponderate there and form a dense dark
grove. I reckoned fourteen nests (but there were probably
more) placed from thirty to forty feet above the ground ; most
contained fully fledged j^oung. Several of the old Cormorants
remained on their nests while we were beneath. I was
informed that Herons breed on this island along with
Cormorants, as they do at Lough Cutra in Co. Galway,
where a much larger colony of both species build in high
trees.
■H!
[ 151 ]
GEOI^OGICAIv NOTES FROM WEST GALWAY.
THE GAI^WAY AND CI.IFDEN RAII^WAY.
BY ROBERT J. KIRWAN, B.A., B.E.
In this paper I propose more particularly to describe the
rock sections exposed by the cuttings for the portion of the
new Galway and Clifden Railway lying between Oughterard
and Recess. The rocks cut through belong for the most part
to the schistose series, the origin and age of which have long
been involved in doubt. The officers of the Geological Sur-
vey, who first examined and mapped this district, believed
these schists to be metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of
Cambrian age, while some geologists believed them to be
Pre-cambrian ; and the overlying quartzites were supposed
to be Cambrian or Lower Silurian. Within the last few years
the Survey has carefully re-examined some parts of Conne-
mara, and similar areas occurring in Mayo and Donegal, with
the result that the older theories have been found altogether
untenable.' Most of the schists are proved to be igneous
rocks, which have been altered during successive periods of
metamorphism. There is, however, one notable exception.
The crystalline and often schistose limestones of such fre-
quent occurrence as bands in the schists must be the remains
of a sedimentary deposit, probably of Ordovician age. Later
still than the metamorphic periods came violent earth-
movements, which crushed the rocks over large areas, but
especially along certain well-marked lines in the neighbour-
hood, of which even the hard resisting quartzites have been
crushed into small fragments or even powdered. These
crushed rocks, when recemented by infiltered matter, form
interesting conglomerates or breccias, some of which were
supposed to be Carboniferous shore-beds by the surveyors.
Of a later age than some of these earth-movements, but older
than many, are the great granite outbursts which have pene-
trated the schists and quartzites, as veins, dykes, and intrusive
masses. In this district are also dykes of eurite, which may
be later offshoots of deeper portions of the granite, which
* See " Report of the Director-General of the Geological Survey," 40/A
Rep. Depart of Science and Art ^1893^, P* 266, and ibid.^ 41^/ Report^ (x2>(^/\)^
p. 270.
152 The Irish Naturalist.
remained fluid after the crust had solidified. In the country
to the south of the railway are several considerable intrusive
masses of hornblendic rocks, which may for the most part be
referred to the diorite series. This rock, in process of
weathering, splits readily into large blocks, and appears for
this reason to have been particular!}^ adapted for transportation
by glacial agenc3^ It is frequently met with in the form of
boulders in the cuttings, and erratic blocks of the same rock
are distributed over a wide area, being particular!}^ numerous
on the high ground west of the lower end of lyough Corrib.
Cutting all the other rocks and quite unaifected by earth-
movements are dykes of fresh-looking basalt and dolerite.
These are probably much newer than the other rocks of the
countr}^, and may be contemporaneous wdth the Eocene
basalts of Ulster. The above general account of the rocks of
the district will be useful for a correct appreciation of the
following detailed descriptions. The terms right and left are
supposed to apply to an observer proceeding from Galway
towards Clifden.
Cutting at Oughterard.
. This cutting is about 700 yards long, with an average depth
of 25 feet of rock ; the diagram, fig. i, shows the right face of
the cutting. At the Oughterard end is a dark Carboniferous
Fig. t.
Signal Post.
Yi. it. '. . i
d Carhoniferous Limestone, q Qnartzite. q^ Fine Quartzile.
G Granite. A Hornblende Schist.
limestone, with numerous minute shining specks and large
concretionary masses of calcite. This limestone is fossil-
iferous, some brachiopod shells and crinoid vStems being seen
in it. The undisturbed and well-bedded appearance of this
exposure forms a marked contrast to the crushed condition of
the older rocks which make up the rest of the cutting. After
the limestone comes a space occupied b}- the debris of the
neighbouring rocks, mixed with clayey matter. Next in
order is a great mass of crushed green quartzites, wdiich show
Geological Notes from West Galway. 153
well the effect of the violent earth-movenaents previously
referred to. This quartzite makes up more than half the
cutting ; it contains much iron pyrites, the decomposition of
which causes the water flowing" from the cutting to be highly
impregnated with iron, and the face of the cutting is for the
same reason much stained. Near the centre of the quartzite
is a mass of white granite, which seems to have been brought
into its present position by faults, the lines of which may be
traced by the highl}- crushed appearance of the rock in them.
In this granite are some large picked-up pieces of quartzite.
Deep blue fluor-spar also occurs as concretions in this granite.
A wedge-shaped piece of dark schistose rock, probably a much
altered and crushed hornblende schist, has been thrust into
the granite apparently by faults. In this schist are some
veins of haematite. There seems to be some hornblende
schist mixed with the quartzite in parts of the cutting.
•At its farther end the quartzite is traversed by numerous
small -granite veins, mostly horizontal ; some of them are
very felsitic, and much of the felspar is of a greyish black
colour (probably labradorite), and the granite often contains
calcite veins which may be due to the decomposition of lime
felspars. Opposite the signal, a well-marked fault brings in
a dark quartzite with larger granite veins ; these, however,
have been so much cut up and displaced by minor faults
that the granite seems to occur in patches. The green
quartzite is cut off suddenly by a well-marked fault, and
about twelve feet farther on is another fault, similar and
parallel to the last. Between these fault-planes is a mass
of greyish-brown rock without granite veins. Professor
Cole, to whom I submitted a specimen, suggests that
it may be a m3'lonite, formed by the crushing together of
quartzite and granite ; but it would do well for a fine-grained
quartzite. The fault-planes bounding this rock are worthy
of special description ; they are each about a foot wide, with
parallel walls, and are occupied by clayey matter and some
fragments of the adjacent rocks. In the clay are curious
little spherical masses of the rock included between the faults.
These spherules are about the vsize of ordinary shot, and might
have been formed by an oscillator}^ movement of the adjacent
rocks. The last of the faults just described is bounded on its
farther side by a mass of red granite. This granite is much
154 The Irish Naturalist,
jointed, and is traversed by some well-marked fault-planes.
In some places it appears to be slightly foliated, and the joint-
planes contain chloritic matter. Near the end of the cutting,
the granite approaches the character of a breccia. Through
a considerable part of the cutting, the rock is covered with a
layer of peat containing numerous tree-roots.
On emerging from this cutting the line runs for over a mile
through bog. At the farther end of the bog, on the right-
hand side of the railway, is a lead mine, from which a
considerable quantity of ore was raised. The works have
long been abandoned, and are now full of water ; but a full
description of them may be found in the survey memoir' of
the district. In the rock cast from the mine some good
specimens of barytes may be found.
About a mile beyond the mine some protrusions of horn-
blende schist have been cut through on the right of the line.
This schist contains well-developed crystals of hornblende,
probably due to secondary crystallization. At one place a
lump of epidote, about three inches in diameter, may be seen
in the schist.
At the bridge over the river, near the village of Garabaldi,
are white crystalline limestones with strings of chloritic
matter, which give them a schistose appearance.
Between the river bridge at I^eam and the road-crossing
are hornblende schists with some limestone. Crossing the
railway, cutting the limestone and schist, is a narrow dyke of
basalt. The surface of the schist at this place is often ice-
polished, and .shows very prettily the curled and contorted
foliation.
Cuttings ai,ong I^ough Bofin.
Opposite the south end of the lake are hornblende schists
with quartzitic bands. Farther on are schists with granite
veins, which contain large flakes of silvery white mica.
North of the island are quartzites, some of which are very
coarse-grained and schistose. The quartzite is often cut by
granite veins. In one place the granite seems to graduate
into eurite ; but Professor Cole, on microscopic examination,
finds the supposed eurite to be a fine quartz-breccia, with very
few evidences of felspar.
^ Memoir of Geol. Survey of Ireland to sheet 95, p. 65.
Geological Notes from West Galway, 155
Between the last cutting bj^ the lake and the bridge are
coarse and fine hornblende schists. On the left side a small
intrusion of garnet-rock may be seen in the schist. This
garnet-rock is of frequent occurrence in the country south of
the Maam Bay arm of lyOugh Corrib ; but, being a very friable
rock, it has suffered much from denudation and does not form
a prominent feature. A little farther on are veins of coarse
felspathic granite, which cut both the normal granite and the
schist. The felspar in these veins is dark grey or black,
resembling labradorite ; it gives a lime reaction in the blow-
pipe-flame, and I have also verified the presence of lime by
microchemical reactions.
Some fluor-spar may be seen in the joints in the granite,
and there is a small vein of haematite in the schist. At the
same place a wide dyke of fresh-looking dolerite crosses the
line ; this rock weathers brown, with numerous whitish star-
shaped markings.
The cutting between the bridge and the public road consists
at the lake end of a mass of whitish rock, which contains what
appear to be fragments of altered hornblende-schist, and may
be due to the disintegration and alteration of that rock.
Farther on, a wide dyke of dolerite, similar to that last
described, is cut through.
Between the public road and I^oughaunierin are some very
micaceous quartz schists, and much crushed hornblendic
schist. Opposite the houses on the road-side, veins of fels-
pathic granite with black felspar may be seen in the schist,
while near the lake there is a dyke of dolerite. North of
Tawnagh-beg I^ake there is a considerable cutting in granite,
which is much crushed, and appears to occupy part of the
Maam Valley fault of the Survey. The joints of the granite
are generally much chloritised, and the rock is traversed by
many veins of pure quartz, which are also bounded by chloritic
matter. The quartz was probably deposited from hot waters,
at the close of the granite intrusion. Some well-formed clear
quartz crystals are to be seen in hollow portions of the veins.
The chloritic matter on the edges of the veins effervesces
strongly with acid, which probably indicates the presence of
carbonate of lime ; and in one specimen from this cutting a
mass of garnet with barytes is seen on the edge of the quartz
vein.
156 , The hHsh Naturalisf.
A little beyond this cutting, a dyke of compact basalt about
one foot wide was cut through in making an outlet for the
drains. Northward from the granite cutting the Maam Valley
fault may be traced to I^ough Corrib, its course being marked
by great masses of crushed quartzite. In one place a newer
dyke of intrusive rock cuts across the fault ; Professor Cole
regards this as a quartz-aphanite. A basalt dyke seems to
have come up alongside and mingled with the aphanite.
Near the basalt dyke in the outlet before described, a large
boss of schist has been cleared of peat, and on the fresh
surface may be seen a network of granite veins, which
suggests that the granite was intruded in a very liquid
condition. The line now enters the bog, through which it
runs for nearly four miles, with the exception of some cutting
in rock, which often rises in bosses above the surface. In
excavating the foundations for Maam Cross station, limestone
was met with under the peat, and this rock may also be seen
west of the road at the station. North-east of Lough Shindilla
some schists, much cut up by granite, may be seen on the
right. The schists contain much quartz, probably deposited
from hot waters.
Cutting North of Lough Shindii,i,a.
At the east end are greenish and purplish quartzitic mica
schists. On the purple foliation planes are often pale-green
bands about \ inch wide, straight and fairly parallel, and cut
by similar systems of bands. These seem to be due to de-
composition, with production of chlorite, along very fine
joints. Near the centre of the cutting are quartzitic schists
that contain carbonates, probably calcite, in the mass, and
more abundantly on the joint-planes. Farther on, the schist
approaches the character of a granulite. The schists in this
cutting appear in great part to occur in regular beds, and
might possibly be metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. There
are many granite veins in the cutting ; some are narrow, with
straight parallel walls, and they are generally vertical.
. These veins were probably formed by the granite filling old
joints. The granite in them is father coarse-grained ; the
mica flakes are generally most plentiful in the centre, but are
sometimes arranged in two zones parallel to the walls. There
are other larger and more irregular veins, often with ill-
defined edges, as if the schist and granite had fused together.
Geological ISfotcs fropi West Gahvay. 157-
The mica appeans to occur in thin flakes rather than in the
usual nests, and on this account it frequently appears as small
rods on the broken surface of the rock. The granite veins
are all somewhat displaced by small faults. Pieces of pure-
looking quartz are common in the schist, which sometimes
appears to send veins into them. These may be due to silica
deposited in cavities left by the solution of pieces of limestone,
which were picked up by the schist when it originally invaded
the sedimentary rocks as an intrusive mass (see below).
Cutting b^twkkn I^oughs Shindii,i,a and Oorid.
A diagram of this cutting is shown in fig. 2. The average
depth of rock is about 12 feet. The eastern end is made up
of crushed quartzitic mica-schist, with perhaps some horn-
blende-schist and granulite. The joints usually contain much
chloritic matter. Proceeding westward, the schist becomes more
hornblendic. There are several patches of crystalline lime-
stone (X), more or less mingled with the schist. One of these
patches is entirely enclosed by the schist, and near it is a piece
of pure quartz with included patches of limestone. This sug-
gested to me the explanation of the origin of pieces of quartz
Fig. 2.
Bridge.
in the last cutting described. Close to the bridge, which
carries the public road over the cutting, is a large vein of
normal granite. West of the bridge there is a remarkable
series of hornblende schists, which seem to have almost en-
tirely escaped the crushing action which affected the rest of
the cutting. The first of these is a fine-grained actinolitic
hornblende-schist (A), which Professor Cole, on microscopic
examination, finds to contain irregular patches of a pale
mineral, probably granular epidote ; also a minute sap-green,
isotropic granular mineral, of high refractive index, which
crystalised out early in the history of the rock. This is pro-,
bably a green garnet, but really requires separation with dense
158 The Irish Nattiralisi.
liquids for its determination. In the schist are some wtitish
lenticular patches, which effervesce with acid, and appear to
be rolled-out fragments of limestone. A handsome schist (B),
with bronze mica and prismatic crystals of hornblende,
appears to cut the last. The joints of these schists contain
much chloritic matter, so as to form occasional lenticles of
chlorite-schist. Some intrusions of a remarkable granite
may be seen here. In general it is very felspathic, with
occasional large flakes of black mica (biotite). In places it is
compact in texture. Scattered through the mass are numerous
small dark inclusions. Professor Cole has examined a speci-
men of this rock under the microscope, and finds the dark
blotches to be actually much altered garnets. Some residual
garnets occur, in a soft green product that has formed all
along their cracks. A few pale pink unaltered garnets may
be found on careful search ; and some small cavities, to be
seen near the surface of the rock, appear to be left by the
destruction of the garnets. The garnet in this granite is pro-
bably all that remains of picked-up pieces of the schist, through
which it flowed.
The rock marked c in the diagram is a schist composed
mainly of bronze mica with hornblende crj'stals. It weathers
easily into a micaceous mould, which forms a considerable
deposit around it. Professor Cole believes this rock to be an
altered diorite. Indeed, I think it not improbable that the
hornblendic schists to be seen here are simply the metamor-
phosed representatives of the diorites and finer associated
hornblendic rocks, which occur in the district south of the
great chain of lakes.
Cuttings ai,ong Oorid I^ough.
In the cutting nearest the east end of the lake, there is an
interesting granite intrusion in the schist. Fig. 3 is a sketch
of part of the right side. The portion marked B is a normal
granite with dark flakes near the edges, which appear to be
torn-off" portions of the schist. In the normal granite are
patches (A) of very coarse felspathic granite, with large flakes
of greenish mica, which appears to be much chloritised biotite.
The portion C that flows over the schist appears to be slightly
foliated.
Geological Notes from VVest Galway.
159
^he veins D are in part very fine-grained, approaching the
character of eurite. West of the mass just described, there is
an outburst of granite similar to that in the last described
cutting, but not containing garnets.
Fig. 3.
In the other cuttings along the lake, there are coarse horn-
blende schists, composed of lenticles of hornblende closely
packed in a felsitic matrix. There are are also veins of coarse
granite with large hornblende crystals, apparently picked up
from the schist. In the rock excavated from one of these
cuttings a portion of a granite vein was found, in which the
mica flakes were all arranged with their planes perpendicular
to the walls of the vein. There are also some soft green schists
almost entirely composed of mica, a species of schist very
common in the cuttings west of Recess.
In the lower portion of Cloonloppeen stream, a little above
the road, some remarkable pot-holes may be seen. Of two
large ones close together, one contained a single large stone
over a foot in diameter, and the other a great number of
small stones about one inch in diameter.
Cuttings about Boheshai..
West of Cloonloppeen Bridge is a cutting in hornblende
schist. In this may be seen a granite vein with hornblende
crystals. Here also a vein of handsome fresh-looking garnet-
rock was cut through : it is, however, altered, with the forma-
tion of calcite and pyrite. As it lay nearly in the line of the
cutting, only a small portion is now to be seen in situ ; this is
near the west end, low down on the left side. On the right
side what may be a continuation of the vein is seen in a boss
of hornblende schist, if the latter is indeed i7i situ. The vein
appears to have been hollow in places, with well-formed garnet
crystals lining the cavities. Professor Cole, who examined
a specimen under the microscope, finds it to be a pyroxene-
i6o, . The Irish Naturalist.
epidote-garnet rock, which may hence be regarded as a true
eclogite. The epidote and garnet appear to have crystallised
siniultaneousl}^ and are intergrown in a kind of graphic
structure.
The next cutting has at its eastern end banded hornblendic
schists. The rest of the cutting is in great part made up of
mica schist alternating in thin la3xrs with calcareous matter,
all being much crumpled. The calcareous matter maybe due
to the decomposition of lime-felspars, as Professor Cole has
suggested to me. There are some veins of calcite deposited
in the joints, the mineral being in pyramidal crystals. Galena
occurs in these veins.
Along the lake, most of the cuttings are in hornblende
schist with quartzitic bands. In one place there are bands of
garnetiferous granulite ; sometimes the garnets are in well-
formed crystals up to one inch in diameter, and may be found
weathered out. In other places the garnets are in larger
crushed masses, or they may be streaked out into lenticles or
bands.
Cutting West of Dkrrynken Bridge.
The eastern end of this cutting is composed of hornblende-
schists w^ith quartzitic bands (granulite ?) Near the west end
is a large mass of little disturbed hornblende schist. Professor
Cole has made a microscopic examination of this schist, and
finds it to contain layers of calcite, with pink garnets and a
mineral that is probably a pale epidote. The schists are cut
by some veins of coarse granite, usually very quartzose, and
containing some calcite. In the granite are picked-up pieces
of the schist, whicli appear to have been partially fused. The
granite veins are often slightly displaced by faults.
From this neighbourhood a capital example of folded strata
on a large scale may be seen on the side of I^etterbreckaun,
the most northerly of the Maam Turk Mountains, about
5^ miles distant.
The cuttings between Derryneen and Recess are all in
quartzitic mica-schists, somewhat similar to those in the
cutting north of Shindilla.
In Recess station-yard, a large vein of very coarse felspathic
granite may be seen in the schist ; it resembles the coarse
Geological Notes from West Gahvay. i6i
granite described as occurring in patches in a cutting north-
east of Oorid lyough. A large outburst of a similar granite
was observed on the southern slope of I^ecavrea Mountain,
where it is cut by veins of the normal granite.
Between Recess and Clifden there are many interesting
cuttings which I have not had an opportunity of examining
closely.
Before concluding this paper I must express my indebted-
ness to Professor Cole, of the Royal College of Science, for
interesting notes on specimens from the cuttings which I
submitted to him. These notes, with his kind permission,
have been embodied in the foregoing descriptions.
REPORT ON INSECTS COEEECTED AT COOEMORE,
CO. DONEGAE,
FOR the: ROYAI, IRISH ACADEMY FLORA AND FAUNA
COMIMITTEK, JULY, 1 894,
BY REV. W. F. JOHNSON, M.A., F.E-S-
( Concluded p-oiii page 99).
LEPIDOPTERA.
Nymphalidae.
IVIelitdea aurinia, Rott. — Coolmore, a large number were washed
up on the beach on July 3rd, and I captured three flying in a field near
the shore.
Coenonympha patnphilus, Iv. — Coolmore, Bruckless.
Zygaenidae.
I no staticcs, L.— Coolmore, a single specimen washed up with other
insects on beach.
Hepialidae.
Heplalus velleda, Hb., var. gallica.) (Coolmore
H. humulif Iv. f
Cymatophori^ae.
Thyatira derasa, L.— Coolmore, at sugar.
Noctuidds.
Acronycta psi, L. — Coolmore, at sugar.
A. rumicis, L. — Coolmore, at rest on walls of house.
Leucania iinpura, Hb.
Axylia putris, L.
Xylophasia sublustris, Esp.
IVlamestrabrassicae, L.
Apainea gem In a, Hb. j- Coolmore, at sugar.
A. oculea, Gn.
IVliana strlgilis, Clerck.
Agrotis cxclamationis, L.
Noctua plecta, L.
I
162 The Irish Naturalist.
Euplexia luclpara, L. \
Hadena adusta, Esp. f ^ ,
H. dentlna, Esp. Coolmore.
Plusia pulchrina, Haw. 1
RIvula serlcealis, Scop. — Templenew.
Ceometrldde.
Rumia cratdeg:ata, L. 1 r 1
Wlctrocampamargarltarfa, L.{" '-ooimore.
Boarmla repandata, U, var. sodorenslum, Weir— Coolmore. A
female which agrees with Hebridean specimens in colour but is of the
usual size of the type form.
Pseudoterpna pruinata, Hufn.]
Acfdalla dimidiata, Hufu.
Cabera pusaria, L.
C. exanthemata, Scop.
Strenlaclathrata, L.
Larentia viridaria, Fb. ^Coolmore.
Eupithecia castigrata, Hb.
IVIelanippe montanata, Bork.
lYI. graliata, Hb.
IVIelanthia ocellata, L.
Cidaria populata, L/. J
Pterophoridae.
IVIimaesoptllus plaglodactylus. Haw. — Coolmore
Crambidae.
Crambus pascuellus, L.— Coolmore.
Tortricidse.
Serlcoris cespitana, Hb. — Coolmore. Also at Bundoran.
S. lacunana, Dup. — Bruckless. Occurs at Armagh.
Sciaphilaconspersana, Dougl- — Coxtown. Occurs at Armagh.
S. virgaureana, Tr. — Templenew. Occurs at Armagh.
Crapholitha nigromaculana, Haw.— Coolmore. Taken also at
Beleek.
Ephlppiphora pflugiana, Haw.— Coolmore.
E. trigreminana, St.— Coolmore. Also at Bundoran.
Carpocapsa splendidana, Hb. "^
Dicrorampha herbosana, Bav. [
Catoptria scopoliana, Haw. ^Coolmore.
Xanthosetia hamana, L. |
Argyrolepia hartmannlana, Clerck. J
Tineidae.
Tinea rusticella, Hb. — Coolmore.
Prays curtisellus, Don. — Coxtown, on Ash.
Cerostoma radiatella, Don. — Coxtown, on Oak.
Phibalocera quercana, Fb. — Coxtown, on Oak.
Deprcssaria heracleana, De G. 1
Bryotropha terrella, Hb. 1
CEcophora pseudospretella, Sta. y Coolmore.
Eudrosis fenestrella, Scop. ]
CoIeophoraaIcyonipenneIla,Kol. j
Elachista luticomella, ZelL— Coolmore, Coxtown.
Llthocolletls coryli, Nic— Coxtown.
r 163 ]
THE BRITISH FI.ORA IN 1895.
The London CatalogTue of British Plants. Part I. Ninth
Edition. London : George Bell and Sons, 1S95. 6d. ; with cloth
covers and interleaved, ij-.
Considering that the last edition of our standard list of British plants
was issued in i8S6, and that since that time " no new Edition of either
of our native Floras has appeared" ; and bearing in mind the great
advances made in British botany during this period, particularly in our
knowledge of critical genera, and in the comparison and correlation of
British forms with continental, it is not to be wondered that botanists
have awaited with some impatience the issue of the Ninth Edition of
London Catalogue, which will now be welcomed as affording a complete
and up-to-date list of the native flora, a census of the distribution of that
flora in the larger island, and an invaluable check-list for purposes of
cataloguing and of exchange.
The present issue is edited, like the last, by Mr. F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S.,
but the number of assistants in various groups is so large, and the
assistance they have given so considerable, that the Catalogue might
almost be considered as the collective work of E nglish systematic botanists.
Messrs. Groves are responsible for the batrachian Ranunculi, and of
course for the Characece ; Mr. Marshall for Epilobium ; Mr. Beeby for
Viola, A7ithy His, andj'i(ncacece] Mr. Townsend for £upArasia; Mr. E-F. Linton
for Thalictrutn and Alchemilla; Mr. W. M. Rogers for Rubus 2Md. Rosa ; the
late Dr. F. B. White for Salix ; and Mr. Bennett for Potamogeton and Carex.
The last-named, and Miss Bennett, have executed the laborious task of
bringing the census numbers up to date.
In glancing through the Catalogue (which, we note, has swelled
from 40 pages in the last edition to 50 in the present), several con-
spicuous changes strike the eye. The authorities for generic names
have been added, but pre-Linnean authorities are not quoted. The
sub-division of certain critical genera has extended enormously — a
necessary if somewhat alarming result of the close attention which they
have been receiving of late years in Britain and the Continent. Thus,
Rubus now runs to just 100 " species," and about as many varieties :
while Hieracium even excels this, numbering 104 " species," and varieties
ad lib. ; those of H. viuroriun, alphabetically indexed, exhausting all the
letters with the exception of Z ! But whatever may be the value of these
myriad forms in relation to our accustomed conception of the term
species, and while the advisability of burdening these unfortunate genera
with such an overwhelming mass of names may be open to question, no
one can doubt the necessity of carefully studying their variation, their
distribution, and their habits.
The number of hybrids in the new Catalogue is also striking. In Viola,
Carduus, Primula, Linaria, and Runiex this feature is apparent, but much
more so in Epilobiui/i. and Salix, where every species apparently hybridizes
with almost every other. In Euphrasia a new departure is made, a
suggestion of trinomial nomenclature being introduced ; the species is
divided into four varieties, which are again divided into a number of
forms.
1^4 • The Irish Naturalist.
"Changes of nomenclature;are, uuf9rtuiiately, again numerous" writes
the Editor, and, as he remarks, it could hardly have been otherwise,
considering that these changes represent the result of nine years critical
study of questions of priority and validity. Some of the changes now
introduced will be no doubt startling to those who have become used to
the nomenclature of the eighth Edition, and have not followed the sub-
sequent alterations as proved necessary in papers in Wx^Joicrnal of Botany
and elsewhere. Castalia speciosa, Schollera oxy coccus, and Borctta cantabrica,
for instance, will sound unfamiliar to most of our readers. Among
changes in generic names Neckeria replaces Corydalis, Bursa replaces
Capsdla, Buda replaces Lepigonum, Pncumaria replaces Mertensia, and the
formidable names of Homaloccnchrus and Wcingccrtneria replace Leersia and
Corynephorus, A number of old specific names also have disappeared.
Not the least important part of the Catalogue is the modest numbers
which follow the specific names and in many cases the varieties, showing
the number of vice-counties of England, Wales, and Scotland, in which
the plant is known to grow, and forming an index of its frequency.
Irish distribution plays no part in this census. Ireland is, in fact, placed
on the same footing as the Channel Islands ! Where a species occurs in
either of these areas only— not in Great Britain— this is shown by the
letter" I" or " C." For Irish botanists this is, of course, unsatisfactory,
since neither here nor elsewhere have they any key to the county
distribution of the greater part of their flora, and even the publication of
the second edition of Cybcle Hibernica, so grievously checked by the
lamented death of Mr. More, will supply this for only the rarer Irish
plants ; but a few years of combined and steady work should go far to
supply materials for an Irish " Topographical Botany," and bring our
knowledge of plant-distribution in Ireland more on a level with that ol
the sister island. R.Lly.P-
NOTES
BOTANY.
MOSSES,
Ephemcrum seri*atuin, Hatnpe., In County Antrim.— The
only recorded localities in County Antrim for this minute annual moss
are in the neighbourhood of Belfast and Lisburn, where it was first
noticed by Templeton in 1801, and again in 1805, one of the localities
given under the former date being "in a field near Lambeg Moss."
Subsequently Drummond gathered it also in ''fields now occupied by
the Botanic Gardens," vide " Flora of the North East of Ireland." Since
that time so far as I am aware there is no record of the plant having been
observed in the district. Mr. S. A. Stewart and other biologists have
made diligent search for it, season after season, for many years, but have
never met with it. Its occurrence in a light sandy field at Glenmore,
near Lisburn, where it has just now been found, may, therefore, be
noteworthy, and its re-discovery so near Templeton's original localities
after the lapse of ninety-four years may be considered interesting. There
seems to be no reason why this species should not be found in other
parts of the county, but so far it has escaped detection. In County Derry
it has not been met with, and for the County Down Mr. Stewart
mentions only one locality.
John H. Davies, Lisburn.
Notes. i6c^
MARSILIACE^.
Pilularia in Conneinara. — The Y\\\\\or\.{PUHlaria globuUfera)h€\r).^
one of our rarest Irish plants, and recent notes of its occurrence being
apparently exceedingly rare, it may be worth stating that I dredged
it in abundance at the western end of Glendalough Lake, Connemara, in
May, 1894. Usually this curious little plant grows in water only a few
inches deep, or out of the water on marshy ground, but here it flourishes
in water from about four to six or eight feet in depth, while the leaves,
v\^hich are usuall}- two to four inches long, in my specimens attain a
length of six to twelve inches. The Pillwort has been recorded from this
neighbourhood long ago (Wade, Planta Rariores, 1804), but it has not
apparently been found in Connemara in recent years.
R. L1.OYD Praeger.
PHANEROGAMS.
The Buckthorn in King's Co.— A correction.— On p. 173 of
the f.N. for 1894, in my account of the Seagull Bog near Tullamore, I find
that by inadvertence I wrote Alder Buckthorn (R/iaffinus fraugtila) for
Common Buckthorn (A'. catJiarticus). The latter is the species that occurs
in that district.
R. L1.0YD Praeger.
ZOOLOGY.
WORMS.
Bipalium Kewense, lYIosel. — A specimen of this rare Planarian
worm was captured last month by Mr. Moore in one of the greenhouses
of the Glasnevin Botanic Gardens near Dublin. It has only recently
been discovered that this remarkable worm is a native of Madeira.
There is some possibility therefore of its being also indigenous to
Western Europe, though the fact of its having hitherto only been found
in greenhouses on that continent appears to be in favour of the generally
held belief that it is an introduced species.
R. F. SCHARFF, Dublin.
Some Notes on Irish Leeches. — In collecting Newts for me in
the ponds near Cashel (Co. Tipperary), Miss Kelsall discovered two
species of leeches. If we look into the nomenclature of the Irish land
and freshwater leeches in Thompson's "Nat. Hist, of Ireland," vol. iv.,
p. 424, we find that some revision is needed. He records sixteen Irish
leeches, six of which are marine and need not concern us at present.
His Erpobdella tessulata should I think be referred to Hemidepsis tcssellata
(O. F. Muller). Dr. R. Blanchard of Paris is of opinion that to this
species should also be referred Thompson's Glossiphonia Eachana. Then
Erpobdella vtilgaris should be known by the name of Herpobdella ocloculata, L.
This is one of the species collected by Miss Kelsall in Co. Tipperary.
It is a very active leech and according to Thompson " as merry as a
grig." The next species Glossipora tuberadata should be called Glossiphonia
cotnplanata, L., being an older name, and for the same reason G. hyalina
should be changed to G. hcleroclisfa, L. and G. bioailata to G. slagnalis, L.
Thompson next refers to two species oi Piscicola, viz. : — P.geomdra, L., and
P. perccB, Tempi. Lastly we come to the true leeches. The Irish horse
leech was considered a distinct species from the continental by R.
Templeton, and described by the name oi Aiilosioma heluo. Thompson on
the other hand identified it as Hamopsis vorax, Johnst. It is probable
that we have two species, but Tcmpleton's is, as was pointed out to me
by Dr. Blanchard, nothing but the well-known continental Humopsis
sangiiisuga, L. I hardly think that the record of the Medicinal Leech in
Ireland {/limdo tnedicuialis, L.) rests on sufficient evidence, and I have
not seen an Irish specimen, but it is quite probable that it does occur in
this country.
1 66 The Irish Naturalist.
Altogether the number of Irish land and freshwater leeches remains
at about the same number as given by Thompson, viz, — ten species.
One of the commonest seems to be Glossiphonia complanata, which was the
second species obtained by Miss Kelsall, whilst Mr. Halbert has recently
procured it near Clondalkin, Co. Dublin.
R. F. SCHARFF.
CRUSTACEANS.
Porcclllo pictus, Brandt. — A specimen of this pretty Woodlouse
was taken last month by INIiss Kelsall, near Cashel, Co. Tipperary. It is
one of the rarest of the Irish species, having only been previously known
from three localities, viz. — Dublin, Belfast, and Maryborough.
R. F. SCHARFF.
Irish Psithyrl. — I took two females of Psithynis vestahs, Fourc, at
Dundrum, Co. Dublin, on 2nd May. These bees are of considerable
interest from their habits, being "cuckoo-parasite" on the true Humble
bees (Bombi), which they closely resemble in appearance. I hear from
Mr. Carpenter that Mr. F. Neale took a specimen of Ps. riipestris, Fab.,
at Limerick last year.
Percy E. Freke, Dublin.
AMPHIBIANS.
Irish Newts.— Additional specimens of the Common Newt {Molge
vulgaris, L.) have been received from the following localities since the
publication of last month's Irish Naturalist: — Curraglass, Co. Cork (C.
Longfield) ; Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow (D. R. P. Beresford).
R. Y. vScharff.
BIRDS.
Rare birds In County Cork. — The following rare birds I have
seen at Mr. G. Rohu's taxidermist, Cork : a Bartram's Sandpiper {Bar-
tramia loiigicauda, Bechst.), shot at Newcestown, Co. Cork, on 4th
September, '94 ; a Gadwall {Anas stn-pcra, ly. ), shot at Castle Bernard,
Co. Cork, on istli February, '95; and an Avocet (Recurvirostra avoa-tta, I^.),
shot at Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, feeding in company with another, on 15th
February, '95. The above three specimens appeared to be adults.
W. Bennett Barrington, Cork.
White Stork near Athy.— ]Mr. J. W. Young writes in the Field o^
April 27th, that, when driving from Athy to Stradbally, he saw a Stork
(Ciconia alba) fly past in a south-easterly direction. Though he at first
mistook the bird for a Gannet, he states that he afterwards saw it near
enough to render the identification certain.
Summer Visitants at Knocknacarry, Co. Antrim. — Swal-
lows appeared on April 14th ; the Cuckoo was heard on the 21st, and
the Corncrake on the 20th. The Cuckoo is said to have been seen on
April 18th.
S. Arthur Brenan, Knocknacarr}'.
Spring lYIIgrants at Armagh, — In spite of the .severity and
length of the winter these birds were not much later than usual. The
ChiffchafF was, as alwaj-s, first, appearing on March 25th, Swallows I
observed on April 9th, but they did not appear in numbers till the 20th.
The Willow Wren came on April 13th, somewhat later than ordinarily,
while the Corncrake made his sweet voice to be heard on the 19th. On
the 27th April arrived the Cuckoo, the Grasshopper Warbler, and the
Sand Martin, and on May 2nd the House Martin and the Swift.
W. F. Johnson, Armagh,
Azotes. 167
Arrival of Spring IVIlg^rants In Londonderry District. —
As might be expected from the lateness of the spring the early visitors
were behind time. The Chiff-chaff came on 6th April. I did not hear
the Willow Warbler until 17th April. The Swallows arrived on the 14th,
and the Cuckoo and Corncrake were first heard on 24th April. The
Swift was seen by Mr. Milne on 29th April, an unusually early date for
this locality. I first heard the Sedge Warbler on 2nd May, and the
Whitethroat on 4th May.
D. C. Campbei.!., Londonderry.
MAMMALS.
Irish Mammals — A correct! on, —The statement which I made on
page 86 of the current volume of the Irish Naturalist, that " Probably the
Squirrel moults twice in the year — roughly speaking, in Spring and
Autumn, and before each moult the old coat becomes thin and faded,"
should read '■'■before the Spring jnoult." Owing to absence from England, I
was unable to look over the proof of the second part of my review of
Mr. Lydekker's book.
G. E. H. BARRETT-HAMII.TON,
Kilmannock, New Ross.
PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.
RoYAi. Z001.0G1CA1. Society.
Recent donations comprise a monkey from Mrs. Burrowes ; an Otter
from W. H. Harvey, Esq. ; a Pike from F. Godden, Esq. ; Badgers from
J. H. Nicholson, Esq., and Capt. French ; a number of Newts from P.
Mahony, Esq. A St. Kilda Lamb has been born in the Gardens, and a
pair of Crown Pigeons, two pairs of Chukar Partridges, a pair of Alpine
Choughs, a pair of Leadbeater Cockatoos, and seven monke^-s have been
purchased. Two of the most interesting animals in the Gardens, the
Orang-utan and the Tapir, have unfortunately died.
16,860 persons visited the Gardens during April.
Dubinin Microscopicai, Club.
April i8th.— The Club met at Dr. M'Weeney's, who showed cultures
of a fungus {Phoma Bet(P, Frank), which causes a disease in Mangel
Wurzel, characterized by blackening of the root-stock and speedy
decomposition. The cultures in moist chambers illustrated various
stages m its development. The great swelling of the spores previous to
germination was specially remarkable.
Mr. Moore showed Gloeosporium orchidearuDi which had appeared on
the leaves of a species of Masdevallia received from Belgium. This is one
of the fungoid pests which cause so much damage to orchids. When
attacked the leaves turn black, and the tissue in the interior of the leaf
becomes disorganised, gradually breaking down, and changing into a
soft black decaying mass. The disease spreads rapidlj- through the
plant and is very difficult to check.
Mr. McArdlE exhibited Lejeuitea Jlava, Swartz (the yellow green form)
which he collected in some quantity in Lord Howth's demesne last
month. This is an addition to the Howth and to the Co. Dublin lists of
Liverworts.
Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society.
April 2.— The President in the chair. Mr. James Wilson, M.E.,
read a paper entitled " The Alps, with Rope and Axe."
1 6 8 The hish Na tu ya list.
Dubinin Naturai^ists' Fiei^d Ci.ub.
Aprii, 27th. — The first Excursion of the summer was made, when a
party of 33 members and visitors visited the neighbourhood of Portrane.
Proceeding to Donabate Station by the 1.30 train, no halt was made until
the shore was reached, where Prof. Sollas, F.R.S., who conducted during
the day, drew attention to the interesting geological features there dis-
played. At the southern extremity of the broad sandy beach that
stretches away up towards Rush are seen dark red conglomerates of the
Old Red Sandstone formation. These are succeeded b}^ a mass of dark
volcanic rock, the junction being unfortunately not visible. Further
south Ordovician slates appear, containing blocks and fragments of the
volcanic rock before-mentioned, and of limestone. Bands of limestone
interstratified with the slate next make their appearance, and the
limestone increases in quantit}- to the southward until it entirely replaces
the slate, and forms a bold cliff of hard rock, teeming with corals and
other fossils. The leading features of each of these ancient formations
were pointed out by Prof. Sollas, and many specimens were obtained.
Messrs. Colgan and Praeger collected flowering plants and noted, in
spite of the late season, several plants in bloom that are not usually seen
so early in the year, such as the Bugloss {Lycopsis at-veiisis), Storksbill
[Eroduim cicutariuiii), and Field Violet ( Viola ai~oensis). The rare Sea
Wormwood (^Artemisia inaritima), previously known to grew here sparingly
in one spot, was seen in abundance in several places on the cliffs ; on
the way to the shore a Water Ranunculus {R. b-icophylhts) was found
already in bloom ; the abundance of the Great Bank Sedge {Carex riparia)
in this neighbourhood was noted, and the rare typical form of the Blood-
veined Dock {Rii/fiex satiguhteus) was gathered. An examination of the
pebbles on the beach proved very instructive. Here, with pieces of con-
glomerate, slate, limestone, granite, and prett}^ pebbles of chain-coral
and other fossils, were fragments of volcanic rocks from the Carlingford
and Dundalk districts, flints from Co. Antrim, and abundance of the
peculiar granophyre which comes from the far-distant Ailsa Craig in
the Clyde. The party returned to Donabate through the fields and
woods, and caught the 6.55 train to town.
Mrs. Ross, Rarc-an-ilan, Dalkey, was elected a member of the Club.
Cork Naturai^ists' Fiei^d Ci.ub. -^ j/^
The annual meeting was held. May ist, in the Librar}', School of
Science and Art, Prof. Hartog, President, in the chair. The Secretary
(Mr. J. L. Copeman) read the report, which showed the Club had been
doing good work. The following excursions had taken place : Youghal,
Little Island, Quarries (Victoria Cross), Spike Island, Iniiishannon, the
Ovens—and a joint three days' excursion with the Dublin and Limerick
Clubs to Fermoy, Lismore, and Mitchelstown, on which some 36 went.
Full accounts of this excursion and its valual)le scientific results have
appeared in the Irish Naturalist, the monthly organ of the various Irish
Field Clubs. Several lectures were given during the year, including one
by Professor Grenville A. Cole, P\G.S.; Dublin College of Science, on
" The Story of the Rocks of Munster," and one by Joseph Wright, Esq.,
F.G.S., of Belfast, on " Foraminifera." Both these were given under the
auspices of the Irish Field Club Union, and which has been formed
during the past year, and which is certain to prove in the future a great
stimulus to Field Club work all over Ireland. A course of four lectures
on Practical Botany was also given by Miss Martin, and it is expected that
during the coming year a course equally valuable will be given on some
other subject. The following officers were elected for the coming year :
— President: (Vacant); Vice-Presidents: Professor M. Hartog; W. H.
Shaw, M.E.; Thomas Farrington, M.A. ; Miss H. A. Martin, M.IiC.P.
VALENTINE BALI.,
C.B., LT,-D., F.R.8.
^ije ^vi&l) ^ainvaii&t
Vol. IV. JULY, 1895. No. 7.
VALENTINE BALL,
C.B., I.I..D., F.R.S.
Valentine Bali, was born in Dublin on the i4tli July, 1843,
and his busy and varied life ended in an everlasting rest on
the 15th of June, 1895. The second son of Robert Ball, LL.D.,
for many years Secretarj^ of the Queen's University of Ireland
and Director of the Museum of Trinity College, Dublin, he
seemed in a great measure to have inherited his father's love
for Natural History. In one respect, however, there was a
marked difference between the father and the son ; Robert
Ball, though always willing to assist the student by a verbal
communication of the knowledge which he so largely pos-
sessed, was only with difficulty persuaded to put this know-
ledge into print, and his published writings are extremely
few ; Valentine Ball was an indefatigable note-taker and a
voluminous writer. Calling to mind that from the time that
he was fifteen years of age, until his untimely death, he was
occupied with a constant routine of official work, which
seldom gave much time for any leisure, it is amazing to think
of the numerous works and papers on Natural History, giving
the widest limits to that term, which appeared from his pen.
Shortly after his father's death, in 1857, he entered Trinity
College, Dublin ; he passed his Degree examination in 1S64,
but he did not graduate until 1872, when at the Winter Com-
mencements of the University of Dublin, he took the B.A.
and M.A. degrees by accumulation. In the summer of 1864
he was appointed by Professor Oldham to the staff of the
Geological Survey of India, on which he continued until 1881.
This period of his life was full of labour, each season's work
was accomplished amid many disadvantages. In his "Jungle
Life in India" published in 1880, he gives an account of his
often very arduous occupations on the Survey, sometimes in
A
170 The Irish Naturalist.
most trj^ng climates, and always surrounded b}' many social
and domestic drawbacks. Amidst such, however, his love of
nature sustained him, and he pathetically alludes to this in
the dedication of his "Journeys and Journals of an Indian
Geologist," " To ni}^ father, to whose early training and guid-
ance I owe a love for Natural History, which has afforded me
solace in many a lonely hour."
While his chief work in India was among the rocks and
coal-measures of Western Bengal and the Central Provinces,
no object of nature met with, seems to have been left un-
recorded, and we find contributions from his pen on the
stone implements, on the various races of men, on the
mammals and birds, and even on some of the local floras
of India. The Geological Survey of India had its origin in
the desire of the Government to have the coal-fields of the
country systematically investigated, and the work of the
Survey for some time was wholly devoted to this object ; most
of V. Ball's Reports and Memoirs published by the Survey
relate to various coal-fields. After the principal coal-fields
had been mapped and described, the general examination of
the Geolog}^ of India w^as attempted, and in 1879 a general
geological sketch-map of nearlj^ the whole of India, with two
volumes of descriptive matter, forming Parts i and 2 of the
** Manual of the Geology of India " were published. Towards
this great work all the staff contributed, more or less, but the
third part, relating to the Economic Geology, which appeared
in 1 88 1, was compiled by V. Ball ; to whom the then
Superintendent of the Survey wrote "the vStudent as well
as the man of enterprise will long owe gratitude for the great
store of facts thus brought within easy reference."
In 1881 V. Ball resigned the position of Officiating Deputy
Superintendent of the Geological Survey of India on his being
appointed to succeed the Rev. Dr. Haughton as Professor of
Geology and Mineralogy in Trinity College, Dublin. Some
of his friends would have had him remain in his professorial
chair, where, if the teaching was somewhat monotonous,
the opportunities for original work were great ; the long vaca-
tion too afforded time for geological work in Europe, and
there was the custod}^ of a collection, which had been once
partly under his father's care, and which Dr. Haughton had
left well stocked, for an University Museum, with minerals,
Valentine Ball, 171
rocks, and fossil forms. But V. Ball had alwaj's been ambitious
to superintend some great museum, where he could have the
freest scope to carry out his ideas of order and arrangement ;
so the quiet of the academic grove was left for the responsi-
bilities and anxieties of prCvSiding over the fortunes of the
Dublin Museum of Science and Art, the foundation stone of
the new building of which had not as yet been laid.
The spirit was willing, but the difficulties of reconciling
many antagonistic views were great, and the trials to a
sensitive mind of having to oppose the wishes of many of
those who were brought into semi-ofQcial connection with
him were sources of trouble, that often ruffled the even tenor
of his life, and it is painful to think may have shortened it.
For over twelve 3'-ears — even of those parts of them, when
from ill health, he was obliged to take some rest— the Science
and Art Museum was in his every thought. One cannot but
admire the energy and zeal which he brought to bear upon
this work ; he could not understand what it was to go slowly,
and in very truth, he most generally, even when he went
quickly, went well. If possible he would have arranged
every article with his ow^n hands. It was on the failure of
such attempts, that he realised that no human being could
have done so.
During these years his moments of recreation were vSpent in
bringing out a model and charming edition of the travels of
Tavernier, and in writing numerous articles on the plants and
animals of India. His scientific writings have such merit that
he needed not to have left any further record of his life, but
yet above all these, the Dublin Museum of Science and Art
will still stand as a witness for ever, to be associated with his
name.
Of the high character of the man, of his trueness in friend-
ship, time must soften sorrow, ere we could trust ourselves
adequately to write.
E. P. W.
A 2
172 The Irish Na twa list.
INSECTS COI.I.ECTED AT THE SEAGULL BOG
TULLAMORE,
FOR THE ROYAI, IRISH ACADEMY FI^ORA AND FAUNA
COMI^IITTEE, MAY, 1 895.
BY J. N. HAI^BERT.
The members of the Dublin Field Club spent a most en-
joyable and instructive da^^ on the 25th of last May, when,
not in any woy deterred by the warnings given in the pro-
gramme about deep and treacherous holes, etc., a large and
adventurous part}^ turned out to explore the Seagull Bog,
Tullamore. The selection of the time could not have been
more fortunate, as the dr}^ weather previous to our visit
rendered access easy to many of the most dangerous, though,
at the same time, most interesting parts of the bog. The
flora of that portion of the Bog of Allen which the Black-
headed Gull has chosen for its breeding haunt is decidedly
above the average, as may be learned by a perusal of Mr.
Praeger's interesting paper in the IHsh Nahcralist for August,
1894, and the adjacent, richly varied woods of Clonad and
Derryclure mark the locality as about the most likely to repay
the incursions of the insect-hunter. To the latter undoubtedly
the most pleasing feature is the abundance of birch, hazel,
and various willows scattered over, but most common on the
outskirts of the bog, and which were proved to harbour the
best species.
As the captures were rather too numerous for inclusion in
the usual report, it has been thought advisable to detail them in
a separate list. I cannot find any previous Irish record^ for the
following species : — Polydrus2ts tcrdicollis, De G., P . ccrvinus,
L, and Hylastcs palliaiiis, Gj^lL, while a fourth species, E later
pomoriLin, Herbst., has only once before been recorded from a
specimen taken by the Rev. W. F. Johnson in a somewhat
similar locality near Armagh. As one would expect, the most
notable feature in the bog collecting is the abundance of the
various species, for, with the exception of the insect mentioned,
and with a little more available time, large numbers of the
others could have been obtained. Several of the universally
common kinds have been omitted from the list,
insects Collected at the SeagtUl Bog, Ttdlavwre. 173
COLEOPTERA,
Cicindela campestr'ls,Iv.— Common on the drier parts of the heath
near Clonad Wood.
Hydroporus Cyllenhali, Schiod.)
H. obscurus, Sturm. ^ ^^^zxx\\ Bog, common in the
\ pools.
H. pubescens, G3II. '
Tachyporus obtusus, var. nitidlcollis, vSteph.— Clonad Wood,
common.
Proteinus ovalis, Steph. \
Atomaria- fuscipes, Gyll j Seagull Bog, all fairly common.
Epistetnus gyrinoides, Marsh. ^
Rhizophag-us depressus, F. — Clonad Wood, common under bark
of decayed fir.
Microcara llvida, F. ) o n t> t. ^i,
Cyphon padi, L. I ^^^^-'^^^ ^°-! ^^^^ common.
Tclephorus lituratus, Fall. — Seagull Bog, common. This insect
seems to have been overlooked b}^ the early collectors. As in the case of
E. pomoruni^ Mr. Johnson has taken a specimen on Churchill Bog, Co,
Armagh.
Elater pomorum, Herbst. — Three examples of this very local
species were swept off a birch tree. It is usually taken under bark, and
in decayed branches.
Coryinbitcs quercus, Gyll. — Seagull Bog; the variety ochropterus,
Steph., occurred, but not so commonly as the type.
Donacia discolor, Pan/.. — Seagull Bog, common.
Lochmsea sutu rails, Thorns. — Perhaps the commonest beetle in
the Bog.
CaleruceHa nyinphaeae, L.— Seagull Bog, sweeping herbage.
C. lineola, V, — vSeagull Bog, common on willow.
Aptcropcda globosa, Tel.— Seagull Bog, several by sweeping.
Crepidodcra helxines, L. — Seagull Bog, common on willow.
Anaspis frontalis, L. — Clonad Wood, common.
Polydrusus tcrcticollis, De G.) Clonad Wood, common oil
P. ptergomalls, Boh. j hazel, etc.
P. cervinus, L. — Seagull Bog, common on birch, ash, etc.
Phyllobius calcaratus, F. y Clonad Wood, common on various
P. pyri, L. S trees.
Anoplus plantaris, Naez.
Coeliodes ri
Ccuthorrhynchus ericae, Gyll.— Seagull Bog, abundant on
heath.
Li mnobar is T-al bum, L.— Seagull Bog, sweeping herbage in dry
drain.
[antaris, Naez. \ g^^^ j^^g common on birch.
ubicundus, Herbst. j ^ ^'
Hylastes palliatus, Gyll.— Clonad Wood, in decayed fir stump.
HEIYIIPTERA.
Nabis6rlcctorum,Schoetz.--vSeagUll Bog, off heath. Not previously
recorded from Ireland.
1 74 The Irish Naturalist,
LEPIDOPTERA.
In lepidoptera the best finds were full fed larvse of Dasychira fascdina on
hazel, a species which seems to occur only in the Bog of Allen, and one
Gcoinctni papilionaria on birch. Numerous species of EiipitheciiC were
flying on the Bog, but the attempt to capture these in a heavy sweeping
net was not at all satisfactory. A specimen of Nwiieria piilveraria was
secured at rest in Clonad Wood. Mr. E. Williams found the Green Hair
Streak {Thccla }-ubi) still frequenting a part of the Seagull Bog where he
had taken it in numbers some years ago, while the beautiful moth
Anuria myrtilli was also noticed regaling itself on the flowers of the Bog-
bean {Menyanthes trifoliata), and on the way back to the station Torttix
ministrana was captured flitting about the wooded margins of the road.
NOTES ON THE FLORA OF HOWTH.
BY R. LLOYD PRAEGKR, B.E.
The bold promontor}^ of Howth, with its heather}^ hills, its
steep sea-slopes, and rugged cliffs, has long been a favourite
haunt of the naturalist, and indeed for him Howth has varied
attractions — the shattered and contorted Cambrian rocks,
carved into jutting crags and fantastic pinnacles by the rest-
less sea; the shell-bearing gravels and Boulder-clays that
overhang the town ; the eddying bird-life of the cliffs ; the
busy insect world that teems in summer among the rocks and
flowers and woods ; and the marvellous variety of plant-life, all
combine to render this favoured spot an oft- visited resort of
the lover of nature, whatever be his bent. It is to the botanist,
perhaps, that Howth especially appeals, for here are gathered
together in a small area man}^ of the rarest Irish plants ; and
leaving rarities out of account, who would not willingly
journey miles to view those great slopes overhanging the blue
water, decked with the crimson flowers of the Blood}' Cranes-
bill, and white sheets of Sea Campion, and masses of yellow
Bedstraw and purple Thyme ; to see the storm-beaten sea-
rocks, hung with grey Samphire, and the glossy foliage and
yellow stars of the rare Golden Samphire, and splashed with
purple patches of Sea-lavender ; or the wide heaths above,
blazing with Gorse and Heather ? Nor less attractive is the
Motes 071 the Flora of Hoivth. 175
low neck of land that joins the headland to the mainland ;
where
" All the sands that left and right
The grassy isthmus-ridge confine,
In yellow bars lie bare and bright
Among the sparkling brine " ;
for here the wastes and banks are gay with yellow Melilot,
and scarlet Poppies, and pink Convolvulus, and many rarer
plants that twine amid the lavish profusion of summer
vegetation.
The wild-flowers of Howth can boast the distinction of
having a book devoted to themselves. Mr. Hart's excellent
little Flora' is well-known to most of my readers, and
ought to be well-known to all of them. Many a time, while I
was still living in Belfast, did I pore enviously over its pages,
for the Flora of Howth contains well nigh four-score of
species which either are unknown in the North-east, or are so
rare there as to constitute the prize of a day's collecting ;
indeed man}^ of them are plants which to any Irish botanist
possess considerable interest on account of their restricted
range in this country. Nor have the botanical resources of
Howth been yet quite exhausted. During the course of several
rambles over the hill last summer, I was much pleased to find
one or two species that are not recorded among the 545 native
or naturalized plants which are enumerated as inhabitants of
Howth in the work referred to ; also a few others, which,
though recorded from Howth by previous writers, were
excluded b}" Mr. Hart on the ground of their absence there at
the present time. When Miss R. Mahaffy communicated to me
several interesting additions which she has made within the
last few years, it occurred to me that our combined observa-
tions might be worthy of publication in the pages of the Irish
Naturalist ; and I have endeavoured^to make the present paper
as far as possible complete, by including any published additions
to the flora (so far as I was aware of them) which have
appeared since the publication of Mr. Hart's " Flora." These
latter are few in number, and are soon enumerated. In the
Journal of Botany for 1891 (p. 377).. Mr. Hart contributes three
additional species— the Portland Spurge, Eiiphorbia portlan-
dica, found on the rocky islet of Ireland's Eye by Sir Robert
'The Flora of Howth, by H. C. Hart, B. A., F.L.S. Dublin: Hodges,
Figgis, and Co., 1887, 3s. 6d.
176 The Irish Naturalist.
Ball ; Urtica pihilifera, an alien nettle, noticed by the present
writer ; and the rare grass Festuca unigluniis, found on the
sandy shore at Baldoyle by Mr. H. C. Levinge, where, last
season, not knowing at the time of Mr. Levinge's discovery, I
was delighted to find fine specimens of it. In the Irish
Naturalist for 1893 (p. 174), Mr. David M'Ardle, who has dis-
covered so many interesting liverworts among the rocks cf
Howth,' added the little club-moss, Selaginella spiiiosa, to the
flora. In the Joztrnal of Botany for 1894 (p. 76), I record
seven Brambles not known on Howtli hitherto, nor most of
them in Co. Dublin or in District 5 ; these were gathered on a
pleasant July day spent with a number of members of the
Belfast and Dublin Naturalists' Field Clubs. In the same
journal (p. 359) I add R. viicans to this list. So far as I am
aware, this completes the enumeration of published additions
to the Flora of Howth.
Of unpublished additions, it is probable that interesting
notes are in possession of some of the many wild-flower lovers
who spend summer da3^s or weeks on the breezy slopes of Ben
Edar; and if the present sketch has the result of bringing to
light information that otherwise might remain unrecorded and
unknown, then it will not have been written in vain ; in this
way, the very incompleteness of my notes may prove their
greatest merit.
PLANTS NOT INCLUDED IN THK "FLORA OF HOWTH."
Crambe maritima, L.— Not yet quite extinct at Howth. I found it
last year sparingly on the gravelly strand of Ireland's Eye. Formerly
grew on the south side of Howth {Irish Flora, 1833), but "Mr. Hart says
that it has been extinct there for many years.
Reseda suffrutlculosa, L. — Has grown for many years near the
Forge, Sutton. — jMiss R. Mahaffy. Apparently naturalized here.
Silene ang^Iica, L., var. S. quinquevulnera, L. — On the railway
bank near Howtli station. — Miss R. Mahaffy. Perhaps merely casual here.
Rubus scaber, W. & X.— Howth Demesne.— Rev. C- H. Waddell.
" A hirsute variety." — W. M. Rogers.
R. silvaticus, W. & N.
R. macrophyllus, W. & N.
R. mlcans, Gren. and Godr. Howth. Praeger,
R. tnucronatus, Blox. \ Joum. Bot., 1894,
R. fuscus, W. & N., pp. 76, 359.
R. corylifolius, Sm., var. sublustrls (Lees).
R. Balfourlanus, Blox.
The above were collected mostly in the Demesne ; a few of them near
the Bailey ; the exact locality of each was not noted. The plants were
1 See M'Ardle: Hepaticse of the Hill of Howth. Proc, R.LA., 3rd S.,
No. I, 1893.
Notes on the Flora of Howth. 177
named by Rev. W. M. Rogers. K. suberedus, R. villicanlis, and R. discolor
are mentioned by Mr. Hart as occurring on Howth. The last-named is
common there ; the second might be expected ; the first is a very rare
plant in Ireland.
Myriophyllum spicatum, L. — Abundant in the pool by the sea at
the Quarr}'. The larger pool there is full of what appears to be the same
plant, but it was out of flower when I visited the place. M. alterniflorum
is recorded from these pools by Mr. Hart. I could not find it there.
[Bryonia dioica, L.— One large plant on a rocky slope below KarlsclifF
where it has grown for some years. It does not grow in any garden in
the neighbourhood.— Miss R. Mahaffy.]
[CEnothera biennis, L.— Established by the railway near Howth
station, where it has grown for at least five years. — Miss R. Mahaffy.]
Aplum nodiflorum, Reichb., var. ochreatunri, DC— In a spring
on the east side of Ireland's Ej'e.
Galium mollug'o, L., var. insubricum (Gaud)— Howth. — H. C.
Levinge, Bat, Ex. Chib Repo7't, 1893.
Arctium nemorosum , Lej. — On the Burrow; and I believe it occurs
elsewhere.
A, intermedium ) Lange. — North corner of Ballykill field near the
Pavilion.
Taraxacum officinale, Web., var. erythrospermum (Andrz.).—
Sandy places east of the Cosh.
[Crepissetosa,Hall. fil. — InafieldbetweenDrumleckandtheNeedles.
— Miss R. Mahaffy. An alien which has not, I think, been noticed in
Ireland hitherto.]
Orobanche minor, Sm. — On a bank at Tansy. — Miss R. Mahaffy
Abundant in a clover field near Sutton station. — R.Ll.P- A plant which
is steadily spreading in Ireland.
Mentha Puleg'ium, L. — Old pasture fields near Bailey post-office.
Miss R. Mahaff}'. An interesting addition to the flora.
Stactiys palustris x sylvatica. — In a potato patch near Howth
chapel. The more common hybrid form, nearer to S. palustris than to
S. sylvaiica.
Chenopodium murale, L. — On rubbish-heaps south-west of
Howth chapel, and on waste ground on the Burrow. Was recorded
from Howth in the Brit. Assoc. Guide (1878), but excluded by Mr. Hart as
probably a mistake.
Euphorbia portlandica, L. — Ireland's Eye, Sir R. Ball. — Hart,
Journ. Bot., 1891, p. 377.
Urtica pilullfera, Iv. — B3' a ruined cottage on edge of the north
cliff near Bailey Lighthouse, R. LI. Praeger. — Hart, Journ. Bot., 1891, p. 377.
An alien plant, which I did not refind there last year.
Ruppia rostellata, Koch. — Plentiful in the pool by the sea at the
Quarry.
BIysmus rufus, Panz. — Margins of the pool by the sea at the
Quarry. Previously recorded from the vicinity — probably from this
identical vSpot — by Mackay, who says {Flor. Hib., 1836), "between
Baldo3de and Howth," but disallowed by Mr. Hart.
Festuca uniglumis, Soland. — On the western edge of the Cosh [not
coast, as printed], H. C. Levinge. — Hart,yc;«/vz. Bot., 1891, p. 377.
Selag^inella selag-inoides, Gray. — Small bog on the north side of
Howth Hill.— D, M'Ardle, I.N., 1893, p. 174.
A 3
1 7 8 ihe Irish Na tu ra list.
Among the above plants there are a few whose occurrence on
Howth possesses more than a local interest. Crambe is now
one of the rarest plants in the district, and possibly the
station mentioned is its last appearance prior to extinction.
A^'ditim nemorosum appears to be very rare in Co. Dublin.
Orobanche minor has onl}^ recentl}^ been observed in the
County (Colgan, I.N., 1893, p. 285). Mentha P^ilegiiwi is
a good addition to the flora of Co. Dublin, and to District 5.
For Chc7iopodiuvi viurale Mr. Colgan has only one recent
station in County Dublin, so the addition of two others is
welcome, and I may here add a third — Rathfarnham — where
I gathered it in a gravel pit with Matricaria Chavioinilla last
December.
To the above notes I ma}- add the following : —
ADDITIONAIv STATIONS FOR RARER HOWTH PLANTS.
Sisymbrium Irlo, L. — Roadside east of Sutton railway station.
S. thalianum, (raud.— Steep banks above the sea at the north side
of the Bailey— D. M'Ardle.
Sinapis nigra, L. — Rough ground above Carrickbrack House.
Viola hirta, Iv.— Dry field east of Glenaveena.
Trifolium striatum, L.— Plentifully above the Martello tower at
Sutton. — ]Miss R. Mahaffy. Mr. Hart records it from Ireland's Eye alone,
disallowing Dr. oMoore's " Howth " record in Cyhele Hibernica.
Rosa tomcntosa, Sm.— Near Waldron's tavern, and below
Glenaveena. — Miss R. Mahaffy,
Pyrus Aria, Sm. — Sparingly on a rock near the summit of Ireland's
Eye. I failed in spite of careful search to find it in its only recent
recorded station " rocks high up on Dung Hill, looking north " {Flora
of Howth).
Valerlanella Auricula, DC— Roadside near Sutton station.
Helminthia echioidcs, Gaert, — Steep banks at the Needles,
Centiana Amarella, L.— On Shelmartin, Miss R, Mahaffy. Mr.
M'Ardle writes that he formerly found it plentifully in a stony pasture
field at Sutton, but he thinks the place is built over now.
C. campestris, L.— On Ireland's Eye, near the Martello tower.
Hyoscyamus nigcr, L.— Abundant on the southern slope close to
the Bailey lighthouse, R. LI. Praeger, I.N., 1S94, p. 156. On Shelmartin,
and at Corr Castle— Miss R. Mahaff"y. Miss Mahaffy tells me that the
seeds are smoked by certain persons, which may account for the spread
of this plant.
Stachys arvensis, L. — Needles field, Miss R. Mahaffy.
Carcx cxtcnsa, Good. — Rocks on the shore near the Bailey.
Phragmitcs communis, Trin.— By the sea below EarLscliff.
Notes 071 the Flora of Howth. 179
As the above plants are mostly somewhat rare in the county,
and have only one or two stations attached to them in the
" Flora of Howth," the additional localities mentioned have
been considered worth}^ of record.
Pyrus Aria and Valcfianella Auricula are not known in Co.
Dublin except on Howth ; while Sisymbrium thalianum, and
some of the others are of rare occurrence in the county. I
may add that possibly V. Auricula is establishing itself in
this neighbourhood, as I gathered it in some abundance last
June in sandy fields at Portmarnock, where so many colonists
appear to find a congenial resting-place.
That interesting and anomalous group, the Characece, are
not included by Mr. Hart in his Flora. Being aquatic plants,
they are but poorly represented on Howth, as would be
expected ; 5^et several species occur, and even the dry rocky
surface of Ireland's Eye has one spot which is perennially
damp enough to allow of the existence of one species. The
following are, so far as I know, all the notes of Howth
CharacecE.
Chara fragrilis, Desv.— Howth, 1S60, D. Moore— Groves, LN., 1S95,
p. 8. Shallow pools on the Sutton side of the hill, near the quarries, D.
M'Ardle. In Balsaggart stream, near its source (" approaching var.
capillacear H. and J. G.), 1894, R. U- P.
C. vulgaris, L.— Sutton, 187 1, W. T. T. Dyer— Groves, I.N., 1895, p.
38.
C, vulgfaris, L., var. longribracteata, Kuetz. — In a marshy spring
on the east cliff of Ireland's Eye, 1S94, R. LI. P.
C. vulgrarls, Iv. near var. melanopyrena, A. Br. — A curious little
plant which grows in the brackish pool by the sea at the Quarry is so
named by Messrs. Groves. This variety is not recorded from Ireland.
Nitella opaca, Ag,— Hill of Howth, 1S60, D. Moore— Groves, I.N.,
1*^95) P« 41- Ditch in the marsh at source of Balsaggart stream, 1894,
R. I/l. P. This species is probably the N. syucarpa recorded from Howth
in Brit. Assoc. Guide.
In bringing these brief notes to. a conclusion, I have to
express my indebtedness to Miss R. Mahaffy and Mr. D.
M'Ardle for notes and specimens of their Howth finds, and to
Messrs. Groves and A. Bennett for assistance in the naming of
critical plants.
i8o The Irish Naturalist.
BIRDS OBSERVED BREEDING ON THE COASTS
OF SI.IGO AND MAYO.
BY ROBERT WARREN,
(A Report laid before the Royal Irish Academj^ 28th May, 1894).
The coast line of the County Sligo, and that of the County
Ma3'o, as far as Belderig Harbour, is of the Carboniferous
formation, and, wherever of sufficient altitude, is eminently
adapted for the nesting-places of cliff-breeding birds.
The sea-face of the cliffs consists of series of horizontal
shelves and ledges, caused by the weathering and decay of
the softer strata, the harder only remaining, and thus forming
the ledges upon which the birds have their nests. But at
Belderig Harbour, a " fault" occurs, and from that little cove
westwards, the North Mayo coast-line is formed of rock of
the metamorphic series, so crushed and jumbled together, that
the face of the highest cliffs appear crumbling away ; the
falling particles, in many places, forming steep slopes, and
where lodging, providing most convenient nesting-places.
On the long line of coast between Sligo and Killala Bays,
there are only two parts sufficiently high for the breeding-
haunts of cliff-breeding birds ; the larger one of Aughriss
Head, and the lesser one of the Killeenduff cliffs. Aughriss
Head, situated about twenty-four miles from Ballina, and
fourteen to sixteen from Sligo, is a short promontory jutting
out from the coast line, about a mile in width, rising to 150,
or 200 feet above the sea, and sloping down inland to the
level of the adjacent country. It is composed of Carboniferous
limestone, and the whole sea-face of the cliff, from base to
summit, is divided into shelves and ledges of various widths,
running horizontally along the face, and parallel to each
other ; but as the rock dips down towards the land side, the
outer edges of the shelves are tilted upwards at a slight angle,
thus forming sheltered positions for the nests almost invisible
from the outside.
In such a favourable breeding-haunt it was strange that
none of the Great Cormorants were to be seen, but immense
numbers of the Green Cormorants were nesting on the cliffs,
the nests being scattered all over the face of the cliff in every
crack and crevice available, and in some of the more sheltered
Birds observed Breedmg on the Coasts of Sligo and Mayo. i8i
ledges ; and, irrespective of the birds sitting by their nests, we
counted over a hundred resting on a low fiat reef at the base
of the cliff, while fully as many more were on the water.
Razorbills and Guillemots were in thousands, perfectly in-
numerable, thickly packed together on the ledges, while the
sea was dotted over with numerous flocks, varying in numbers
from five to a hundred individuals in each flock. The
Kittiwake Gulls were in two large colonies, one on a range
of cliff about three hundred yards in length, and the other on
one about fifty or sixty yards shorter ; while on a space of a
hundred yards between the two, was located a colony of
Herring Gulls numbering about fifty pairs of birds.
The only other birds seen about were Rock Pigeons and Jack-
daws, frequenting the caves and holes, while Ringed Plovers
with their young ones were running about the bare edges
of the cliff where the winter storms had worn away the soil.
Choughs were said to have bred here some years ago, but no
trace of them was to be seen on the occasion of my visit on
the 22nd of July, 1891. On a visit to this head on the 9th of
June, 1893, 1 saw nothing new at the breeding-haunt, although
I had the advantage of viewing the sea- face of the cliffs from
a boat.
Killeenduff cliffs, situated about three miles from the little
town of Easky, are a bold range about 100' feet high, and
although most favourably circumstanced for the breeding of
seafowl, are only frequented by a few pairs of Green Cor-
morants, and Rock Pigeons in the caves ; a colony of House
Martens having their nests in the face of the cliff, the nests
looking like little dabs of mud stuck against the rock.
After leaving Killeenduff" no rock-breeding birds are to be
met with until Killcummin Head, the western boundary of
Killala Bay in the County Mayo, is reached, where a few pairs
of Green Cormorants nest, as well as some Jackdaws, and
Starlings ; a pair of Peregrine Falcons had an eyrie in the
highest part of the cliff", and about thirty years ago a pair of
Choughs also bred there.
On Killala Pool (the inner part of the bay) several pairs of
Black Guillemots are to be seen throughout the year, and
probably breed in the cliffs between Kilcummin Head and
L^ackin Bay.
1 82 The Irish Naturalist.
On the "Inch," a low gravelly island on the western side
of the Pool, a colon}^ of the Common and Lesser Terns breed,
as well as Ringed Plovers ; while on the sandhills of
Bartragh Island Sheldrakes breed in the Rabbit-holes.
For six miles west of Killcummin Head no breeding-haunt
(unless that of a pair or two of the ubiquitous Green
Cormorants) is met with until Downpatrick Head is reached,
with its pillar-like rock of Doonbrista standing upright 126
feet out of the water, and 100 3^ards from the head. This
rock is perfectly inaccessable, its wall-like sides (in some
places overhanging) rising out of deep water, and although
now so isolated, and inaccessable to man, was at some remote
period of time joined to the mainland, and inhabited, which
is proved by the remains of a stone w^all still to be seen on the
summit.
On the ledges of the head and rock, Kittiwakes swarmed in
thousands, and when disturbed by the report of a gun, looked
like a shower of snow as they darted out from the face of
the cliffs. Green Cormorants were also in large numbers both
on the rocks and head ; while on the flat grassy summit of the
former a colony of twelve to fifteen pairs of the Great Black-
backed Gull held undisputed possession ; a few pairs of
Herring Gulls having to content themselves with the ledges
just below the top. Razorbills and Guillemots thickly crowded
together on the shelves of the head and rocks, in some places
in dense masses, quite innumerable, though not in such large
numbers as at Aughriss Head.
Leaving Ball3xastle (or Buntraher Bay, as it is named on
the maps), a few pairs of Black Guillemots were seen in the
sheltered cove, and the cliffs begin to rise in height westward,
until Keadue is reached, between two and three miles from Bally-
castle ; just before reaching Keadue, and situated about 150
yards from the sea, in the centre of a grass field, a curious
chaldron-like hole is seen, almost circular, and about 30 yards
in diameter, the sides perpendicular and about 50 or 60 feet in
depth to the rocky bottom, into which the tide flows through
a tunnel-like cavern. It was low tide when we were there,
but when the tide is high it rushes in with tremendous force
in stormy weather, sending the spray up to a great height.
While sitting on the edge of the cliff over the hole we observed
Birds observed Breedmg on the Coasts of Sligo and Mayo. 183
some Jackdaws feeding their young in the crevices of the sides,
and were agreeably surprised to hear the musical calls of a
Chough, and shortly after saw a pair go into a hole near
where the Jackdaws were, and heard them feeding their
young ones.
Keadue is an immense amphitheatre-like bay, running for
a quarter of a mile into the land, and about as wide at the
entrance, surrounded by a perpendicular wall of rock 350 feet
in height, upon the edges of which a large colony of Herring
Gulls had nests (perhaps a hundred pairs), while several pairs
of the ubiquitous Green Cormorants were scattered about the
face of the cliffs, having nests in the holes and crannies ; and
about halfway on the western side a beautiful pair of Peregrine
Falcons had their eyrie some thirty feet below the top, on a
flat ledge under an overhanging vslab of rodk.
As there were conflicting accounts of the species of eagle
breeding on the North Mayo coast, I was anxious to visit
their haunts, and ascertain if possible which species really
bred there ; and also to continue my observations of the coast-
breeding birds from Downpatrick Head and Keadue, as far
west along the coast as possible. However, owing to the
long-continued bad weather of the summer of 1892, I was
unable to leave for my first visit until the 30th of June,
when, at a quarter past 8 o'clock, a.m., I left Ballina on my
twenty-mile drive to Belderig, via Killala and Ball3'castle.
On reaching the latter village, while our horse was resting
and feeding, I walked on before as far as Keadue, and during
my three miles walk through the valley and along the river,
I met a great variety of birds. Sedge Warblers singing in the
reeds by the river banks ; Corncrakes calling from the little
patches of oats, the three species of Bunting ; Thrushes,
Common and Mountain Linnets, Goldfinches, Swifts, Swal-
lows, and Sand Martins ; a few Chafiinches and Green
Linnets — stragglers from the few trees and bushes near
the villages ; Meadow Pipits and Skylarks, the latter very
numerous. However, as soon as the bog district v.-as
reached, a little beyond Keadue, onl}^ the two species
of larks were to be seen. Though whenever there was a
solitary cottage, even in the bog, with its little patches of oats
and potatoes, there a few Twites and buntings were seen.
184 The Irish NaUcralist.
The road from Ballj^castle to Belderig runs along the coast,
not far from the cliffs, through a desert of bog and moor, but
half-way between those places is Glenglossera, a small and
verj^ picturesque glen, or rather ravine, reaching the sea
through a narrow cove in the high cliffs ; at the head of
the glen is the pretty shooting lodge of Mr. Mudge, sur-
rounded by evergreen shrubs and natural brushwood, the
latter clothing the sides of the ravine, and offering such a
contrast to the wilderness of bog all round, that it looks like
a lovely oasis in the midst of a desert.
On the cliffs near the mouth of the cove over the sea a pair
of Peregrines have an e3^rie. In August, some 3^ears ago,
when Grouse-shooting, Mr. Mudge shot two Golden Eagles,
an adult bird w^hich he has at his English residence, and an
immature specimen w^hich he show^ed me in a case at Glen-
glossera.
Belderig is a small village, consisting of a few cottages
thinly scattered over a broad valley or depression of the land,
opening out into the little harbour between the cliffs, while
bog and mountain surround it inland.
The sea-cliffs from Belderig to Broadhaven Bay are the
finest I have seen on the Irish coast, consisting of a mountain
range varying in height from six to eight hundred feet, cul-
minating in Benwee Head, 829 feet high. The cliffs are
highest on the sea-face, and slope down inland to the level
of the great bog, turf covering them to an immense depth.
Even on the outer edge of the cliffs it is seven and eight feet
deep, and falling with the crumbling face of the cliffs, and
lodging where there are vacancies between stones and rocks,
forms most convenient nesting-places for the Puffins and
other birds.
This line of coast is indented b}^ great ba3^s, at short distances
from each other, and it is chiefly on the high wall-like cliffs
of these bays that the sea-fowl breed in such numbers.
(to bk conci.ude:d).
[ i85 ]
FIELD CLUB WORK IN THE NORTH.
Annual Report and Proceedings of the Belfast Naturalists'
Field Club, for the year ending 31st March, 1S95 (thirty-second
year). Belfast : Printed for the Club, by A. Mayne & Boyd. Price
of extra copies to members, 2s.
This publication has just been issued, in the shape of a well-printed
volume of over 200 pages, of which half is devoted to the Proceedings of
the Club, and half to a " Supplement to the Flora of the North-east of
Ireland," being one of the series of scientific memoirs relating to the
natural history or archaeology of their district which this vSociety issues
from time 10 time. Just thirty years ago the Belfast P'ield Club issued
their first report, an eight-page pamphlet, covering two years' work — a
contrast to the present stout volume, which indicates the growth of
this Club during the intervening period. From the Committee's report
we learn that the membership now stands at 516, being by far the highest
number ever reached. The principal events of the summer were a joint
excursion with the Dublin Field Club in June, a week's visit of the North
Staffordshire Field Club to Belfast during the same month, and a three-
day excursion to North Donegal in July. The formation of the Irish
Field Club Union, which is already bearing good fruit, is referred to as
calculated to work for the general benefit of all the Clubs concerned. The
list of papers read at the winter meetings looks at first sight varied and
representative of the several branches 'of the Club's work, but on anal3'sis
we find that seven papers deal with geology, only two with zoology
(and of these the titles alone are given in the Proceedings), none with
botany, and the remaining five with literature, art, ethnography, &c.
This weakness in zoology and botany is certainly to be regretted, in view
of the immense amount of work still required in the North in these
departments.
In the reports of the excursions also, which occupy 21 pages, the same
weakness is conspicuous ; not half-a-dozen animals, nor more than a score
of plants are recorded as having been found by the members on their
nine field-days, and as a matter of fact almost the whole of this small
list was supplied by members of the Dublin Club on the joint excursion
to the Boyne. The cause of this deficiency in field-work appears to be
that the Belfast Club is suffering from a plethora of members.
Is this Society doing more work now than during the many
years when the membership ranged from 200 to 300.'^ We doubt it. It
is certainly doing less field-work on its excursions, and the importance
of maintaining the esprit de corps on these summer trips cannot be over-
estimated; picnicking and consequent demoralization are always ready
to swoop down on the unwary Field Club that allows its excursions to
degenerate into pleasure-trips. When we read of 120 members having
attended the driving excursion to Langford Lodge — well known as
a " show place " — we are not surprised to find that absolutely
1 86 The Irish Naturalisi.
no field-work was done on this occasion : it appears to be a
law ot Field Club mathematics that the work done on an excursion
usually varies inversely as the number of members present. Perhaps it
is to this cause that we owe a redeeming feature of the Report under
review — the excellent researches that are being carried out by a few
ardent members of the Geological Committee on the glacial deposits
of the district, and in other branches of local geology. Miss Thompson's
report shows that the boulder- clays and associated beds, and the larger
erratic blocks, are being carefully examined, and some interesting
discoveries have already rewarded the researches of the Geological
Committee ; while Mr. Hoskins' analysis of Antrim glauconite, and
Prof. Cole's notes on hullite, are valuable contributions to our know-
ledge of these minerals.
But if the Belfast Field Club is weak in its field-work, it is certainly
strong in a different department of its labours — that of indoor in-
struction to its members. Three courses of lectures were held during
the past winter, and all of them appear to have been decidedly successful.
Prof Cole gave his second geological course, " The Study of Life on the
Globe " ; Prof Johnson contributed twelve lectures on " The Study of
Plant Life " ; while under the care of Mr. P. J. O'Shea the class for the
study of the Irish language has continued to make satisfactory progress.
The geological and botanical lectures were followed by practical demon-
strations. These classes should serve as useful adjuncts to field-work,
and as a stimulus to the same, but it should never be imagined that
they can replace it.
As a relief to the complete absence of botanical papers in the Proceed-
ings, we have the loo-page appendix, " Supplement to the Flora of the
North-east of Ireland," now published by S. A.Stewart and R. Lloyd
Praeger. This paper shows that even if work on the Club excursions has
been insignificant, the botanical members have not been idle when on
excursions of their own. It is now just seven years since Stewart and
Corry's " Flora " was published, and the present supplement shows a
goodly number of additions to the lists of plants of the three counties —
Down, Antrim, and Derry — dealt with in the work in question. As a
matter of statistics, the flora (phanerogams, vascular cryptogams, mosses,
and hepatics) of the district is raised from 1,169 species to 1,229; that of
County Down is increased by 60 species, of County Antrim by 58,
and of County Derry by 45. These additions include a number of plants
of much interest. Spiranthcs Konianzoviana is indeed a bright jewel to add
to the local botanists' crown ; Garex pancifiora is a highly interesting
addition to the list of Irish mountain-plants ; the critical Polygonum,
viaciilatuni is also an addition to the flora of Ireland; while a number of
species, such as Kannncnhis circi/iatus, Drosera intenncdia, Saiissurea alpina^
Orchis py rati I idalis^ Carex aqiiatilis, were not previously known to grow in
this part of our country. Withdrawals and corrections to Stewart and
Corry's " Flora " are very few, showing the excellence and care with
which the " Flora " was compiled. The species now withdrawn from
Field Club Work hi the North. 187
the list of local plants are only six in ri\x\\\hQ.x\— Ononis spinosa, Rosa
micrantha^ Silaus pratensis, Calamintha offi.cinalis, Primula veris, Grimiiua
ovata, and in only two of these Zdi^^s—Rosa and Griinmia—is, the plant
withdrawn on account of a proved error of determination, the remainder
being omitted since time has shown that they were merely casuals or
escapes in the stations credited to them. A useful feature of the Supple-
ment is the enumeration of a number of plants which have not now been
seen in the district for some years ; the rediscovery of these will be a
useful work for the local botanist, since, on account of drainage and
other changes, their confirmation as members of the present flora is a
consummation devoutly to be wished. The supplement is wisely printed
in pages of the same size as the " Flora of the North-east of Ireland," in
order that it may be bound with it ; and it furnishes a valuable addition
to our knowledge of Irish botany.
PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.
RoYAi, Z001.0GICA1. Society.
Recent donations comprise two pairs of Hooded Crows from H. H.
Jonas, Esq., and J. P. Swan, Esq. ; a Hedgehog from G. C. Gray, Esq.
A Camel and a Chimpanzee have been purchased, and a Golden Agouti
born in the Gardens.
8,790 persons visited the Gardens in May.
BEI.FAST Naturalists' Fiei^d Ci,ub.
May i8th.— The first Excursion of the season was held on this date
when the Club paid a visit to the old Cistercian Monastery of Greyabbey^
A pleasant morning found a party of sixty collected at the Linen Hall
Library at 10 a.m., and a start was made at once in brakes. Passing by
Dundonald, Newtownards, and other places of interest, the first h^lt was
made at Mountstewart, the seat of the Marquis of Londonderr}-. Here
the fine mansion was thrown open to the members, after which the
cromleac occupied the attention of the party, and was freely photo-
gra])hed. This cromleac, as Mr. W. Gray pointed out, was once tlie
centre of a large tumulus, which has since disappeared, leaving only its
core. Having examined this relic of olden time, and having noticed" the
good sense of the owner of the soil in leaving it intact, the party pro-
ceeded to Greyabbe3^ Mr. J. J. Phillips has written a most beautiful
and interesting monograph on this fine old ruin, and the information
imparted by it during the day greatly increased the pleasure of those
who saw it.
Tea was provided on the hill close by, where a most extensive view
delighted the eyes of all present. Strangford Lough and its islands,
with the blue Mourne Mountains in the distance, and the ruins of the
old abbey nestling amongst the trees beneath, added every feature
necessary for a perfect picture ; in fact, it is doubtfid if there is so fine a
view in all County Down as is here to be had in the evening sunlight.
1 88 The Irish Naturalist.
At five o'clock the waggonettes were then once more mounted, and
the party drove off, passing on the wa}-, close to Mountstewart, a vast
erratic of basalt resting on Triassic sands and marls. Mr, Welch has
taken a capital photo, of this amazing sample of the power of ice in the
great ice age. Belfast was reached at eight o'clock, where the members
dispersed. The botanists of the part}' found nothing rare, but Sediini
telcphiiiDi and Anchiisa senipervircns, which were in great quantity. In one
spot the double variety of the Lesser Celandine and an extremely large
variety of the Wild Hyacinth were growing in abundance. The
geologists only spent a few minutes at a small section of boulder clay,
from which, however, a good specimen of a striated block was extracted.
May 25th. — The geological section visited the Woodburn district,
seventeen members being present. It is satisfactory to find that
Professor Cole's recent lectures have greatly increased the interest in
field geology, as evidenced by the large attendance at this excursion.
The first halt was made outside the beautifvil and well-kept glen of the
Water Commissioners. A cliff of Lower Greensand yielded brachyolites,
ventriculites, Vermicularia, pectens, and other fossils. Passing up the
glen, where the waterfalls were in perfection, the party crossed meadows
gay with orchis, bugle, rattle, and Water Avens, obtaining the Adder's
Tongue, and plunged into the nortli glen, where the dark green glan-
conitic sands were reached after a good deal of scrambling. Many
Exogyrce and lercbraiuhc were gathered, whilst the glacialists secured
some boulder cla}' from about 400 feet above the sea. Passing down
stream some blocks of Lias yielded fish teeth and scales, and eventually
the party returned to Troopers Lane.
June ist. — The second Excursion of the Club took place to Glj'nn and
Gleno. A part}^ of about 100 left Belfast by the 2.15 express to Larne,
which was kindly stopped at Glynn station by Mr. Cotton to allow the
members to alight. This Excursion was rendered especially interesting
owing to the presence of Professor Johnson and Mr. S. A. vStewart, two
well-known botanists, who gave good assistance to those members
taking up this study. On leaving the station a halt was made at the
churchyard, where the ruins of the old church were examined. The
Secretaries then announced that a prize would be given for the collection
containing the largest number of species of flowering plants gathered
during the afternoon. Mr. Stewart headed the party who wished to go
on to Gleno, whilst the remainder stayed in the glen. A walk of about
two-and-a-half miles brought the former to the quaint little village of
Gleno. At the waterfall the botanists searched carefully for mosses,
liverworts, and algie ; although nothing very rare was found, Fontinalis
Jitiviatilis among the mosses, and Leutanca among the algae are worth
noticing. Mr. Stewari obtained a specimen of Zygodon Stirtoni, which is
found onl}' at Killarney and one or two places in the North. The large
limestone quarry alongside the stj-eam yielded few fossils, but there were
quite a number of the little Atiiorphospon^ia globularis weathered out on
the surface in one part. The usual Ananchyics ovatus, Belemniklla imuronata,
and Terebratula carnca were seen. A few photographs having been taken
the party made for Glynn, where by the kindness of Mrs. Johnson the
local arrangements had been made, and tea was provided in the school-
house by Messrs. Inglis and Co. This was followed by the judging of
the nine collections of the competitors for the botanical prize, but it was
only as the train neared Belfast that Professor Johnson and Mr. Stewart
were able to say that Mr. Richard Hanna had taken the prize with ninety
species ; Miss Vinycomb was next with seventy-one, and the lowest was
about sixty, so the competition was keen. The only plant of note was
Dog's Mercury (^Mcrcurialis perennis), which was in some quantity, and is
locallv rare.
Proceedi7igs of Irish Societies. 189
Dubinin Naturawsts' Fiei^d Ci.ub.
May 25th. — An especially interesting excursion was made on May 25th,
when a large party visited the bog near TuUaniore in King's County,
which is well known to naturalists as the largest breeding place in Ire-
land of the Black-headed Gull. Leaving Dublin at 9.15, a rapid journey
in a special through carriage brought the members to Tullamore, where
they were joined by some local friends, and drove immediately to the
vicinity of the bog. Here they were met by Mr, R. Digby, J. P., and the
Rev. Canon Russell, D.D., who acted as guides during the day. No time
was lost in getting out on the bog, where the unusual spectacle of some
fifty persons wending their way cautiously among the pools and marshes
to the centre of the vast spongy plain produced a great commotion
among the only inhabitants — thousands of graceful sea-birds, that rose
in clouds before the part}', and eddied like snowflakes overhead, filling
the air with their wild musical din. Here among the bog-pools were
numbers of slightly-formed nests, many of which contained brown
spotted eggs, others 3'oung birds in the beautiful brown and black
mottled down of infancy, while others of larger size, covered with dark
feathers, ran about among the heather, or skulked in the beds of rushes.
The photographers of the party busily took snap-shots at the birds, old
and young, while the botanists were well pleased to find abundance of
the Cranberry (FarczwzV/;;^ Oxycoccos)^ with its pink blossoms dotting the
wet moss, the waxy bells of the Andromeda {A. polifolid), the Great Sun-
dew {Drosera anglica), a somewhat rare fern, Lasirea spinnlosa, and other
plants ; and the entomologists captured a variety of rare bog insects, a
list of which is contributed by Mr. J. N. Halbert to the present number
(p. 172). The edge of the bog was regained without mishap, and the
party next explored the beautiful wood of Clonad. Here were found
both species of Buckthorn {Rhamniis latharticus and. R. frangtda), the Inter-
mediate Avens {Geuin interniediiDii), the Columbine {Aqiiilegia vulgaris), the
Water Avens {Geiim rivale), and many other interesting species. In
meadows adjoining grew the Green-winged Orchis {0. i/iorio), Q.i\d fine
plants of the Royal Fern {Osniunda regalis) were obtained on the banks of
a stream in the neighbourhood. The following fungi were collected by
Mr. Greenwood Pini and Dr. H. J. McWeeney : — Agariciis (Gahrd) hypjio-
rum, Fr. ; A. {Gabra) viycenopsis, Fr. ; and A. {Oniphalia) timbelliferus, Fr.,
on Sphagnujn ; Peronospora parasitica on Sisymhritim Alliaria ; J\ pygmcea on
linemone neviorosa ; Aicidiuiii crassum, Pers., on Rharnnus catJiarticus (the
spermogonia were also found on the upper side of the leaf); CEcldiuni
aquilegice ; Puccinia epilohii ; P. coronata, Corda, abundant on both species
of Buckthorn ; Penidllium olivaceu!n(Ca..), on discoloured spots on Aquihgia-
leaf The whole party, now reinforced by a number of the local gentry,
assembled at the forester's house at five o'clock, where an ample tea was
provided by the Misses Gardiner, of Leinster-street, Dublin. Subse-
quently a short business meeting was held." Mr. Greenwood Pim, M.A.,
F.L.S., who occupied the chair, on behalf of the members warmly
thanked INIr. Digby and Canon Russell for the great assistance they had
given during the day. Mr. A. J. Pentland and Miss Pentland were then
elected members of the Club. The return journe}^ was made in time to
catch the 7.42 train to town, and Dublin was reached punctually
at ten.
igo The Irish Naturalist.
NOTES.
BOTANY.
Irish plants in the new London Catalogue,— It may be
interesting to point out some of the changes as regards Irish plants
which have been made in the ninth edition of this useful work. Irish-
men will regret that St. Dabeoc's Heath no longer bears his name
{Daboecia), but is changed to Boretia, and that the Lough Neagh sedge
Carex Biixbazimii becomes C. fusca, but the law of priority is inexorable.
Two other exclusively Irish plants, Asplcnitim Clermontce, and Potamogeton
longifolhis, Bab., are marked as hybrids. We have cause to be grateful,
however, that Rosa hibcniica still retains its name, though it had a narrow
escape, and that the following now help to swell the small numl)er of
Irish plants, Thalictntm lollinuin var. calcarcum, Carex rhynchophysa, and
the varieties Ilartii, Stcwartii, and occidentale from the long array of Hawk-
weeds. The new spelling of Spiranthcs J\o/iianzo//iana, and Isoetes laciistris
V. Morei should be noted ; the latter, which was spelled Moorci in the
eighth edition, was I suppose a misprint.
C. H. Waddei^L, Saintfield.
HEPATIC^.
Jubula Hutchinsiae (Hook,)-— I am glad to be able to record a
new station for this beautiful scale-moss, which I have only seen before
in the North of Ireland at Rostrevor and Tollymore Park. It was found
by Miss S. M. Thompson in a damp fissure of the rocks on the coast
south of Newcastle, County Down. There is no appearance in the
North of its variety integrifolia, which is said to be one of the links
between the flora of S.W. Ireland and that of Spain and the West
Indies.
C. H. Waddei*!/, Saintfield.
ZOOLOGY.
CRUSTACEA.
Cladocera from the West of Ireland.— The following Clad-
ocera have been identified b}^ me in material collected at various times
by Prof. D'Arcy W. Thompson (of Dundee) in the neighbourhood of the
town of Galway — Sida crystallina, Miiller ; Daphnia piilex, De Geer ; D.
longispina, Miiller ; D. galcata, G. O. Sars ; Si/nocephalus veivlus, Miiller ;
Ceriodaphnia viegalops, G. O. Sars ; Bosmina longispina, Miiller ; Etirycerciis
lamellatns, Miiller; Acerpcriis harpie, Baird ; Alonopsis eloiigaia, G. O. Sars;
Lyncciis affinis, Kurz. ; Grapiolcbcris tcsindinaria, Fischer ; Alone! la nana, Baird ;
Pleuroxus trigonellus, Miiller ; Chydorns sphericns, Miiller ; Leptodora hyalina,
Lilljeborg. Of these species the rarest is Lyncens affinis, a form only
recently added to the British lists. It has lately been found, however,
by Mr. Scourfield in North Wales, by Mr. T. Scott in the West of
Scotland, and by myself near Birmingham.
T. V. Hodgson, Birmingham.
INSECTS.
Plague of Beetles In Calway in 1688. — I send an extract from
Boate describing a curious plague of beetles in Galway in i6S8 : —
"In the summer of 1688 a vast swarm of insects of the Scarabeus
or beetle kind appeared on the S.W. coast of Galway, not far from
the town. They were brought by a S.W. wind and proceeded
towards Headford to Tuam, where, and in the adjacent country, they
lay by thousands among the trees and hedges, hanging to the boughs in
Notes. 191
clusters, and sticking to the backs of one another, like bees when they
swarm. In this manner they continued quiet during the heat of the day,
but towards evening they simultaneously took wing with a strange noise
resembling the distant beating of drums, and in such vast and incredible
numbers as to darken the air for many miles around, In a short time
they devoured all the leaves of the trees, and the countr}', though it
was then in the middle of summer, was left as naked as if it had been in
the middle of winter. The grinding of the leaves in the mouths of this
vast multitude made a sound similar to the sawing of timber. They
destroyed all the gardens round the country, and particularly Mr.
Martin's beautiful plantations at Dangan ; entered the houses, and,
crawling about, fell into the food of the people ; and wherever they
happened to stride they left a slight mark behind. Their spawn they
deposited near the surface of the ground, where it did considerable
damage by devouring the roots of the corn and grass. These formidable
invaders were, however, easily killed ; smoke was their greatest enemy,
and one wet day destroyed great heaps of them. They proved good food
for the swine and poultry, and, according to some, were also used by the
poorer sort of people. PVoni the time of their first appearance they con-
tinued to proceed progressively with the westerly wind, and in 1696 they
reached the Shannon ; but they were gradually destroyed. The year
before about 40 or 50 horse loads were found lying dead along the shores
of the bay, for miles westward of Galway. It was supposed this new
colony, coming from their native lands, Normandy or Brittany in France,
met with a contrary wnnd, which, having blown them into the sea, they
were drownied, and their bodies cast ashore. Since that time nothing
of the same kind has appeared."
Richard T. KeIvI.y, Dublin.
[It is only a few days since we received complaints from Co. Galway of
the serious ravages of the small chafer Phyllopcrtha horticola, L., during the
present summer. Very probably the beetles referred to in the above
interesting old record belonged to that species. — Kds.]
Lepidoptera from SIig:o. — In the March number of the current
volume (p. 77) I record the capture by Rev. R. A. M 'Clean of Erebia
epiphron var. cassiope near Sligo. Having now looked through his entire,
collection, the following species of moths seem to be worthy of record :- -
GeoM£;TRID^. — Eiirymene dolobraria, Epione apiciaria, Acidalia remuiaj-ia,
Bapta temeraia, Numeria piilveraria, Scodioiia belgiaria, Hybernia nipicapraria,
Anisopteryx asailaria, Eininelcsia tcvniala, Eupitheiia dodoncata, E. lariciata,
Larcntia nniltisirigaria, Melanthia ocellata, Cidaria miala, C. siierata, C. corylata,
C. silaceata, C. suffiimata, Pdiirga coniitata.
SphinGID^. — S/nerinihiis ocellatus.
NOTODONTID.^. — Pterostonia palpina.
CymaTOPHORID.'E. — Thyalira batis, T. dera^a, Cymatophora duplaris.
NOCTUID^. — GraiiiDiesia trigranimica, Stilbia anomala, Ma/nestra persicarue,
Celcena HaivortJiii, Dianihcecia nana, D. capsincola, D. ctuubali, Epiinda lutidenta^
vars. sedi, and liinebcrgensis, Cleoceris viininalis, Agrotis vestigialis, A. cu7'Soria,
A, pnrcox, A. strignla, A. confusa, Panolis pinipcrda, Xanthia fulvago, X. Jlavago,
Charicleanmbra, Xylocampa areola, Xylina orniihopus, X. socia, Plusia bractea.
IvlTHOSllD^. — Gnophria rnbricollis.
PYRAt,lD^. — Botys niralis, B. fuscalis, Scoparia ambigiialis, Noviophila
nocinella, Scapula lutealis, Crai)ibiis niaigaritellus, C. horiuellus, C. genicnleus.
TlNElD^. — Dmrnca fagella, Hyponomeiita cagnagclhis.
ToRTRlCiD^li. — Tortrix ministrana, Sericoris lacunana, Argyrotoza conwayana,
Pardia iripinutana, Catoptria idicctana, Aigyrolepia hartmanniana.
Z YGiE NI D.-t; . — Zygcena lonicene.
Hepiai^id^I^. -Ihpia'.iis hcctus.
Geo. H. Carpenter.
192 The Irish Naturalist.
BIRDS.
Notes on Black-headed Culls.— The following notes arc from
observations which I made at Lough INIask, Co. INJ.ayo, and Gull Island,
Gartan Lake, Co. Donegal. — The birds all seem to begin to lay at the one
time— once an o.^^ is laid either the cock or hen is on the nest so that
the eggs come out very irregularly ; they lay from three to five eggs,
generally three or four, but in a few nests there may be six. When the
chicks are all out they stop for about a week at the "gullery " and then
all suddenly disappear. The young chicks do not seem to be alile to
swim, as some that fell off the island at Gartan were drowned. One year
the gamekeeper at Toormakeedy robbed the regular gullery to get the
eggs to feed his Pheasants, and the Gulls moved to a rocky island and
crag in the small river that flows into the north end of Lough Mask,
here they could be easily watched as one could creep within 100 yards
of them. When the chicks were about ten days old they all suddenly
left. To-day when passing the gullery was alive, the next day there was
scarcely a Gull to be seen, and on going to the island one only found one
or two late clutches. After the gullery was deserted I found in the Co.
Mayo in the grass fields and in the Co. Donegal in the corn-field a
hovering pair of Black-heads that mobbed me if I came near as if their
young were about, but although I worked the ground very close I never
could find one ; but in two or three weeks the country would have nu-
merous small flocks consisting of two adults and three or four young
ones flying about feeding. I firmly believe the Gulls bring their young
to these fields, in fact it is all but positively proved — but how do they
do it .'' Do they carry them } The Mallard Duck does carry its young as
at Cragg, Lough Derg, Co., Clare ; so also does the Woodcock. Why there-
fore may not the Black-headed Gull do likewise ? The Terns and the
Grey-backed Gull keep about Lough Mask till their young are well able
to fly. G. H. KiNAHAN, Dublin.
GEOLOGY.
Exposed LlasatWhltepark Bay, North Antrim. —Heavy storms
in former 3'ears exposed small patches of Lias shales near the " Kitchen"
Middens" in this bay, but these were very soon covered up again,
sometimes ])y next few tides. The great storm of December 22nd last,
has left lasting traces of its fury here, and by removing many thousands
of tons of sand and shingle from the centre of the strand to the east end
has exposed the beds for a distance of over a thousand long b}' from
twenty to one hundred and fifty feet wide. All that now remains are
large masses of Chalk scattered over the Lias, There does not seem to
be even after four months exposure any sign of the sand covering up
again, but it might be well for geologists to take advantage of this fine
exposure while they may ; the beds are fairly fossiliferous, indeed it is
from here and from the little section a little higher up along the banks of
the stream that the Causeway guides get the majority of the specimens
of ammonites which they sell to tourists, and there are plenty of
indications that they are working there now. It would be impossible to
accurately describe the great change the storm made from the little port
at Eallintoy to this point. Almost all the shingle which lay in gullies
around the sea-stacks has been thrown up high beyond high water
mark ; at one place lying along a field 30 to 40 feet inside the low ditch.
Even more destructive was the storm on the West Strand, near Golf
Hotel, Portrush, where the sand has been removed in immense quantities
all along the face of the dunes, exposing for almost a quarter of a mile
the well-known submerged peat beds there, which before the storm showed
only in a small patch about two feet below the Hotel ; it being now
from seven to eight feet high there the alternate layers of peaty matter
and sand can now be well examined, insects, &c., searched for. Roots and
branches of trees, evidently of the pine tribe, are common, and what
appeared to me like leaves or stems of Zostera .? or other esiuarine plant.
R. We;i.ch, Belfast
Vol. IV. AUGUST, 1895. No. 8.
THB ORCHIDS OF COUNTY DUBININ.
BY NATHANIKI. COI^GAN, M.R.I. A.
So far as it is possible to judge with our still very imperfect
knowledge of the various Irish county floras, the County
Dublin is exceptionally rich in orchids. Out of a total of, say,
twenty-three Irish species, no less than sixteen are included
in the actual Dublin flora, while further research may be ex-
pected to raise the number to eighteen by the re-discovery of
two recorded species which have not been recently observed.
This proportion of sixteen to twenty-three is somewhat ex-
ceeded in the Counties of Cork, Galway, and Kerry, with
areas, respectively, about eight, seven, and five times as great
as that of the County Dublin ; Wicklow, with more than
twice the Dublin area, numbers about seventeen species ;
Westmeath,^ with exactly double, and Armagh/ with one and
a half times the area of Dublin, each number twelve species
in their orchid floras ; Donegal, with five times the Dublin
area, has, perhaps, no more than an equal number of
species ; and, finally, the three north-eastern counties of
Ireland : Derry, Antrim, and Down, with a combined area
more than eight times that of the County Dublin, hp.ve
one less than its number of orchid jspecies^ — fifteen. On the
whole, then, the orchid flora of the County Dublin may be
set down as exceptionally rich when compared with that of
other Irish counties, though it must be confessed that its
richness lies rather in the number of its species than in the
presence of any of the rarer Irish members of this peculiarly
interesting order of plants.
The following notes, selected rather hastily from some j^ears'
observations in the highlands and lowlands of the county, will
1 See Mr. H. C. Levinge's " Plants of Westmeath," /.JV„ 1894.
2 See Mr. Praeger's " Flora of Armagh," /.N., 1893.
^ EJxcludin^ Epipactis palustris and Cephalanthera ensifolia.
A
194 * 'j^he Irish Naturalist.
be found, perhaps, to contain nothing strikingly novel for
students of the Dublin flora. It is hoped, however, that they
may serve to exhibit with some clearness the county distribu-
tion of the Dublin orchids, as at present known, and thus
show the direction in which further inquiry may be useful.
Malaxls paludosa (Sw.)— Bog Orchis.— vStill in some abundance
in its old station on Glendliu Mountain, where I had the pleasure of
pointing it out in September last to Dr. I^eitch, of Silloth, who on the
same day discovered another station for the species on the mountains to
the eastward above GlencuUen Bridge, at a height of i,ooo feet. For ten
years this plant has maintained itself in precisely the same patch of
Sphagnwn on Glendhu Mountain. It would be of interest to know
whether it still holds its ground in its earliest recorded Dublin station,
at the head of Glenasmole, where it was found eighty years ago by John
Templeton, who, in his IMS. Irish Flora, records the discovery in these
words:— "In marshy places about Kelly's Glen, River Dodder, July,
1814, in company with Dr. Ta3-lor and Mr. Mackay ; in flower July 23rd,
1814." Mr. John Bain, who more than once gathered the plant here in
his early botanical excursions with Dr. Mackay about the date of the
publication of the Flora Hibernica{i^2i^), tells me that Templeton's station
is no doubt the mossy plashes on the right above Grierson's, now Cobb's,
Lodge at the head of the glen. Malaxis, it may be noted, should be
sought for not only in living Sphagnum beds, but also round their edges,
where a constant trickle of moisture passes over freer ground. In its
Glendhu station it usually occurs in groups or clusters, a number of
small plants, one inch or less in height, surrounding a larger, sometimes
three-inch, central plant. This outer ring arises, no doubt, from the
growth of the characteristic leaf-bulbils dropped by the more mature
central plant.
Ranging in Dublin from 1,000 to 1,300 feet.
Llstera cordata (R. Br.)— Lesser Tway-bi,adi:.— Probably abund-
ant in the Dublin mountains wherever the heather is well grown and
not too dense below. First recorded for the county in the late Mr. A. G.
More's Rtrent Additions (1872). Mr, H. C. Hart tells me that he gathered
the plant on Feather Bed Mountain in 1867. It occurs frequently on
Glendhu Mountain, on Kippure, and on the slopes between Kilmashogue
and the Three Rock.
Ranging from 1,200 feet on Kilmashogue to 2,000 feet on Kippure.
Llstera ovata (R. Br.)— Common Tway-bi;ade.— Abundant in the
county, especially on moist " drift " banks. Specimens gathered last
year on the railway cuttings between Raheny and Killester, where this
orchid grows in great profusion, measured 2 feet 2 inches in height,
with leaves 6 inches by 3 inches. The three-leaved form mentioned in
Smith's English Flora (4th Kd., 1830), is probably not uncommon in the
county. Mr. W. H. Bloomer has shown me fine specimens of it gathered
The Orchids of County Dublin, 195
on the railway banks, near Shankill, and I have found the form frequent
in woods near the head of Saggard Slade.
Ranges from sea-level at Balbriggan to 1,000 feet on Slieve Thoul.
Splranthes autumnalis (Rich.)— Lady's Tresses.— Apparently-
very rare in the county. Recorded from Bray Common, from Killiney,
and from Loughlinstown, but not recentl3^ Found on the North Bull
about the year 1885 by the late Mr. A. G. More. It would be desirable to
search for this plant along the top of the drift banks from Killiney to
the Bray river, towards the middle or end of August.
Epipactis palustris (Crantz)— Marsh HeIvIvEborine. — This
species appears to have been formerly much more abundant in the
county than at present. Templeton, in his MS. Flora, gives the follow-
ing localities : — "Jamestown, \ mile beyond Kilgobbin, Co. Dub-
lin, Dr. Stokes, October 26, 1801. Plentiful in a bog in the neigh-
bourhood of Killiney Bay, and among the sand-hills at Baldoyle
Strand." The first of these is its earliest recorded Dublin station : in the
third, better known as Portmarnock sand-hills, it still holds its ground,
Mr. Praeger having gathered it there last year. The plant is now per-
haps extinct in the stations Stagstown and Kingstown^ given by Wade
in his PlantcB Rariores (1804). Should this be so, it would make all the
more acceptable the new station quite recently added in Glenasmole,
where a considerable number of plants was discovered by Rev. C. F.
d' Arcy on this year's June excursion of the Dublin Field Club.
Lowland in the county, reaching only to 600 feet (in Glenasmole).
Epipactis latifolla (Sw.)--Hei,i.Eborine.— Recorded in Mackay's
Catalogtie of the Indigenous Plants of Ireland, 1825, for Portmarnock sands,
an unsatisfactory habitat for a woodland species. In Mackay's Flora
mbernica, published eleven years later, the Portmarnock station is trans-
ferred to E. palustris. Though the plant is marked in the British Associa-
tion Guides 1878, as " rather tare " for Dublin and Wicklow, I had no
recent records for the county, until last month (July, 1895), when I had
the good fortune to discover about a dozen plants of this species in a
wood near Ballybetagh, north of the Scalp.
Orchis pyramidalis (Linn.)— Pyramidal orchis.— A decidedly
calcicole" plant, abundant in Dublin, where it finds in almost all
* Not, of course, the modern Kingstowm, the Dunleary of Wade's
generation ; but the district of Kingston, lying about a mile N. of the
Scalp, where the Rev. vS. A. Brenan informs me he gathered the plant in
i860.
2 This convenient word is adopted from Coutejean's " Geographic
Botanique," Paris, 1881, as it clearly denotes the observed connection
between lime-soils and certain species of plants, without in any way
begging the very vexed question as to whether the influence of the
mineral is chemical or mechanical.
A 2
196 The Irish Naturalist,
quarters a congenial habitat on the limestone drift spread over so large
an area. It occurs in all the eight botanical districts into which I have
divided the county, and is apparently lowland here, as elswhere in
Ireland, hardly reaching to a higher level than 600 feet.
Orchis IVIorlo (I^nn.)— Green-winged Orchis.— Like the preceding
species, though rare in many parts of Northern and Southern Ireland, the
Green-winged Orchis is widely distributed through Dublin, where it has
been observed in seven of the eight county districts. It grows in great
profusion at Baldrummond, N.E. of Ballyboghil, where I found it in May
last, thickly spread over some acres of damp pasture. It is frequent in sandy
fields to the E. of Portrane peninsula and abundant on the drift banks of
Glenasmole and its tributary glen of Glassamuck}'.
Ranges from sea-level to 1,000 feet at Piperstown.
Orchis mascula (Linn.)— Eari,y Purpi^E Orchis— Occurs in all eight
districts of the county, where, however, it seems less abundant than in
the North of Ireland.
Ranges to 750 feet in Glassamucky glen.
Orchis Incarnata (Linn.)— Apparently rare in the county, having
been found, so far, in only two of its districts. It is recorded from
sandy pastures at Sutton and Portmarnock, and occurs in considerable
quantity by the Grand Canal at Hazlehatch and in the Slade of Saggard,
above the old bridge.
Ranges from sea level to 600 feet at Saggard Slade (*)•
Orchis maculata (Linn.)— Spotted Orchis.— The commonest
orchid of County Dublin, as it is, perhaps, of all Ireland, and indeed of
the British Isles. Well distributed through all eight districts of the
county.
A high ranging species in Dublin, as it is throughout the British Isles,
reaching to 1,950 feet on Seefingan mountain.
Ophrys aplfcra (Huds.)— Bee Orchis.— This, perhaps the hand-
somest of the Dublin orchids, occurs in five of the county districts, all
the stations, w^ith one exception, the Green Hills, being near the coast.
It is apparently rare in all its Dublin stations, save at Skerries, where
Rev. T, B. Gibson found it in abundance in 1892.
A lowland and distinctly calckok species, probably occurring in many
other stations on drift banks and gravel eskers.
(*). 0. latifolia, Linn., is for the present omitted from the county list,
as it is to be feared that, though recorded from many stations, it has not
been discriminated from 0. incamaia. Treating the two species as an
aggregate, the county distribution will be extended to four districts.
The Orchids of County Dublin. 197
Ha)t>enarIaconopsca(Benth.)— Fragrant Orchis.— Widely distri-
buted in the county, occurring in seven of the districts, and very abundant
in many places on the drift, especially in railway cuttings. It grows most
luxuriantly in the cuttings near Killester on the Great Northern Railway,
where I have gathered specimens measuring fully i foot 11 inches in
height.
lyowland in the county, reaching only to about 650 feet (in Glena«
smole.)
Habenarla viridis (R.Br.)— Frog Orchis. — Rather common, occur-
ring in six of the county districts, and abundant in many stations in the
uplands, as on the Brittas Hills, in Upper Glenasmole and round Friars-
town and Piperstown. This species seems to be quite indifferent as to
soil. It appears on the basalt at Ballynascorney, on the limestone drif
at Balbriggan and Glenasmole, in sandy pastures by the shore near
Skerries, and in stiff non-calcareous clays on Carrickbrack in the Naul
Hills.
Ranging from sea-level to 1,000 feet on Mount Seskin and Kilakee
Mountain, and to 1,050 feet on Knockanavea.
Mabenarla albida (R.Br.)— Rare, recorded only from two districts
of the county. Templeton, in his MS. Flora, enters it as found " in
pastures on the sides of Kelly's Glen, Dodder River," the date of the
record being certainly not later than 1820. It still maintains itself in
this station, where Mr. Greenwood Pim gathered it in 1889, and Dr.
M'Weeney so recently as in 1894.
Habenaria chlorantha (Bab.)— Butterfi<y Orchis.— Rather fre*
quent in the three mountain districts of the county, as on the northern
slopes of Slieve Thoul, in Upper Glenasmole and at Ticknock. This is, no
doubt, the species recorded by Wade in his Catalogue of Dublin Plants
(1794) under Habenaria bijolia as found " at Stagstown " (Ticknock) and
** between Lugmore and Kilty-loones " (Kiltalown).
Ranges to 900 feet on Slieve Thoul.
To the foregoing notes on the orchids clearly entitled to a
place in the present-day flora of the County Dublin, may be
added a few words on the following two species, which,
though recorded for the county, have not been recently
observed.
NeottlaNldus-avis (Rich.)- Bird's Nest Orchis.— For this there
are two old records, both for the same locality. Woodlands, on the Liffey, a
most likely station for the plant. Wade, in his Planta Rat lores (1804), gives us
the first record in these words : — " In the thickets among the rotten leaves,
Luttrellstown' wood, Co. Dublin, flowering so early as April." The
flowering season here given would appear to point to Lathraa, which still
* The old name forWoodlands.
igS The Irish N'aturalist
grows in Woodlands, rather than to Neottia. Yet Wade could hardly have
mistaken one plant for the other, and his record is supported by the
following from the MS. Flora of John Templeton, a more competent
authority: — "In I^uttrelstown wood, Co. Dublin, Mr. Brinkley ; ^ seen
in abundance by Dr. Taylor and m3^self, July, 1814." I have not myself
had an opportunity of looking for the plant in Woodlands at the proper
season, and it is most desirable that a thorough search should be made.
Perhaps some reader of the Irish Naturalist can refer me to a record
more recent than Templeton's.
MaUenaria bifolia (R. Br.)— There does not appear to be any
definite recent record for this. The older records belong to a period be-
fore the species was limited by the separation from it of H. cJilorantha
(Bab.). There is nothing in the known Irish distribution of the plant to
make its appearance in the county improbable.
I shall be happy to receive notes, accompanied by vSpecimens,
of further County Dublin localities for any of the rarer
orchids mentioned in these jottings, and more especially for
either of the two which I have ventured to exclude from the
actual county flora.
13IRDS OBSERVED BREEDING ON THE COASTS
OF SI.IGO AND MAYO.
BY ROBKRT WARRKN.
(A Report laid before the Royal Irish Academy, 28th May, 1894.'^
[^Concluded from page 184.)
On reaching Belderig and stopping at the post-office and
public-house, I made enquiries about the eagles, but could
get no definite information about them, until a young keeper
from Glencalry, coming for letters, hearing my enquiries, ad-
vised me to see an old cliff-climber, named M'Andrew, who it
was said knew more about eagles than any man in the
countr}^ for he lived all his life near the cliff in which the
eyries were situated. The old man lived about three miles
away in the mountain, and the keeper offering to show me the
way to his house, we set off at half-past three, on our three
miles walk over two ranges of hills and through soft wet bog.
1 Dr. Brinkley, Astronomer at Dunsink and afterwards Bishop of
Cloyne. He appears to have botanized a good deal in the County Dublin.
Birds observed Breedifig on the Coasts of Sligo and Mayo. 199
Reaching the cottage at about six o'clock we found the old
man cutting grass, but on hearing what we wanted, he became
quite excited, threw down his scythe, and would have talked of
eagles and their nests all night if allowed. He told me that
eagles as long as he remembered regularly bred on that part
of the coast until about three years before, when he had the
nest robbed bj^ a boy who he let down with a rope over the
cliff, and that since then the pair had removed further west to
the Porturlin cliffs. On questioning him as to their appear-
ance he described them as follows, saying " The eagle that
bred on the cliffs was the Grey Eagle, almost as grey as a
Goose," and that they lived chiefi}^ on hares, sometimes taking
a Duck, or a Hen, and occasionally a lamb, but that they were
not nearly so destructive to lambs as the Black Eagle that
occasionally visited them from the mountains inland near
Corick and Bangor" ; thus distinguishing between the light-
coloured Sea Kagle of the cliffs, and the darker-coloured
Golden Eagle of the inland mountains. Finding I had no
chance of seeing the eagles I was about to return, when the
old man avSked if I would like to see some birds on the cliffs,
and L,oughtmurriga, the former nesting-place of the eagles.
So after less than a quarter of a mile's walk up the boggy side
of the hill, we came to the sea-cliffs of a great bay, semicircular,
like a vast amphitheatre, bounded by wall-like cliffs 600 and
700 feet high from the water. Lying down I looked over the
edge, and was amazed at the thousands of birds covering the
face of the cliff, and flying about between it and the water,
giving the idea of bees swarming round a hive — Puffins,
Razorbills, Guillemots, and Kittiwake Gulls, all building in
that order, except that the Puffins were everywhere on the
face of the cliff from the lowest tier of Kittiwakes' nests up to
the very summit. However, I should mention that, for any
one of the other birds there must have been a hundred Puffins.
I lay for a long time looking on in wonder and amazement
at the scene before me, for, although I had read of such
gatherings, I was never until then able to realize the fact.
We then moved about three hundred yards to the east and
came on another bay opening out from the cliff of I^ought-
murriga, 790 feet high ; here the birds were still more numerous.
Puffins in tens of thousands, all over the face of the cliffs,
burrowing in the turfy slopes, and occupying every hole and
loo The Irish Naturalist,
corner behind stones and rocks, and every crack and crevice
available for a nest. At the base of lyoughtmurriga was the
island of Moistha (Islan Master of the Ordnance Survey map)
separated by a little strait three fathoms deep, and only wide
enough for a rowing boat to pass through,
Moistha is an oval-shaped island, 350 feet high, having a
rounded grassy top, upon which the Puffins were innumerable,
and especially so on the western slope facing the evening sun.
Fully a quarter of an acre was thickly carpeted by them, as
thickly as they could stow, while the sun shining on their
snow-white breasts, and red bills, caused them to look like an
immense bed of tulips, or other bright-coloured flowers in a
grass garden.
Near the highest part of the cliff, we saw a young Peregrine
nearly fledged sitting at the mouth of a hole, in which probably
the nest had been ; our attention was directed to him by the
loud screaming of the parent birds, after we reached the top
of the cliff. A pair of Ravens (the man told us) bred every
year in the cliff, until that season, when the Peregrines (or
** Blue Hawks," the local name) drove them awa3^ I remained
watching this wonderful sight of sea-birds until past eight
o'clock, and then returned to Belderig, which I reached close
to eleven.
Next morning, the weather still continuing fine, I drove to
Porturlin, which, although only seven or eight miles by water,
is sixteen miles by road, through a dreary wilderness of flat
wet bog, with numerous black-looking pools and loughs inter-
spersed throughout its wide expanse ; and so bare of life, that
besides the skylarks, only one solitary Golden Plover appeared
in view during the long drive there and back ; and the road
was so bad, that for the latter half of the way we had to go at
a walking pace, and did not get to Porturlin until nearly two
o'clock.
This little fishing village is situated in a deeper and narrower
valley than Belderig, reaching the sea by a narrow cove
through the cliffs, while to the west of the village, close
behind, rises the Hill of Doonmara, 649 feet high, the com-
mencement of the range running on to Portacloy and Broad-
haven, also indented by great bays, with crumbling cliffs
similar to Belderig.
Birds observed Breedmg on the Coasts of Sligo and Mayo. 20 1
On arriving at the village, we met all the men and boys just
returning from their morning mackerel-fishing, in which they
were most successful, the crews of eleven curraghs bringing
in on an average 300 to 400 fish each, all taken with hand-
lines. I spoke to several about the eagles, but although they
all knew and saw the birds frequently, none knew where they
bred ; until a boy, just coming up while I was speaking, said
he knew where the nest was on the cliffs, containing two young
ones nearly fledged. So, engaging him to come with me and
show the nest, we set off to climb Doonmara behind the village,
but when we got to the top, reaching the level plateau of bog
that extended along the range of cliffs, he saw the canoes
again going out fishing, and not wishing to lose his share of
the evening take, he returned, leaving me to puzzle on by myself
in search of the eagles. I walked along the cliffs for half an hour,
when I came to the first bay indenting the high cliff of Altmore,
and if I was surprised at the numbers of birds at Lought-
murriga, I was fairly astonished here when I looked on the
cliff, for I think there were tens, and hundreds of thousands
of Puffins ; the entire face of the stupendous cliffs was covered
with them, and the sea below was almost obscured from sight
by the swarms of birds on the wing — thousands of Kittiwakes
Guillemots, and Razorbills, nesting in the same order as on
the other cliffs.
I walked on for half a mile, and came to the second bay
running into the cliff of Altredmond, which takes its name
from a coastguard whose boat was upset near the base of the
cliff ; all the crew perished, he only escaping by climbing up
the face of this stupendous precipice, where no human being
ever climbed before, or ever will again. Looking down over
the edge it is impossible to realize how any being without
wings could climb from the water, and reach the summit in
safety. In this bay the birds were in still greater numbers.
Three quarters of an hour's walk brought me to the third bay,
which was the same ; the cliffs covered, the water dotted over
with little flocks, while those on the wing actually swarmed,
and gave me the idea of the great ** I^oonories" in the Arctic
Regions as described by Captain Markham and Sir I^eopold
M'Clintock.
I still walked on ahead, but no eagles appeared, and I came
to the fourth and largest bay of all, and, strange to say^
A 3
202 - The Irish Naturalhi. > -^ .'. .
although quite as favourable in appearance as the other bays
for seabirds' breeding haunts, none were to be seen,, except a
few pairs of Guillemots near the entrance.
Not wishing to go any further from Porturlin, as it was late
in the day, although there were still some miles of coast unex-
plored, I sat down to rest, and carefully examined the cliffs
with my glass ; but I saw no birds oi any kind except a pair
of Peregrines, and these by their noisy anxiety indicated that
they had either eggs or young somewhere near. After a time
I perceived a greyish object stirring behind a stone on a ledge,
but, unless when moving, perfectly indistinguishable, and this
proved to be one of a pair of young Peregrines sitting behind
a grey stone ; they were about as large as grouse, and some
dark feathers appearing amongst their white down gave them
that grey colour so like the stones by which they were sitting.
After satisfactorily identifying the birds, I set out on my
return, and having walked about a quarter of a mile, I heard
the screaming of a Peregrine in the distance, and after a time
the noisy screams coming nearer, I looked about and per-
ceived just in front of me, flying towards me, a magnificent
eagle closely followed by a screaming Falcon. Both birds
passed over me, the eagle carrying a hare by the head and
forequarters, the rest of the body dangling from his talons as
he flew slowly along towards the cliffs, and disappearing below
the edge, passed out of sight. I had a good view of the bird
with my glass, and seeing the white feathers of the tail, have
no doubt of its being the Sea Kagle {Halicetus albicilla). The
bird had evidentl}^ come a long way over the bogs from the
inland district, and was carrying the hare to its young in the
cliff of "Spink, "where the boy told me the nest was situated.
Having thus had the pleasure of seeing the eagle, but not
being successful in finding the nest in consequence of the
desertion of my guide, I returned to Porturlin, and got back
to Belderig between nine and ten o'clock. The weather
changed that night, and I was obliged to return home next
day on a twenty-mile drive in a storm of wind and heavy rain,
which continued for ten days, and prevented my revisiting
the cliffs ; when the weather cleared up it was too late in the
season.
The foregoing notes, being the result of my two days' visit
in 1892, were so satisfactory that I was encouraged to pay a
^irds observed Breeding on the Coasts of Sligo and Mayo. 203
more prolonged visit to this district in 1893, and take more
time to explore the range of cliffs as far as Portacloy.
So, on the 23rd of May, in company of my friend Mr. H.
Scroope, junr., I set out on my second visit to the North Mayo
coast, with the intention of walking along the cliffs from
Belderig to Porturlin, and thence to Portacloy, and if the
weather permitted to explore the sea side of the cliffs from
the water. During our drive from Ballycastle to Belderig we
found the Herring Gulls and Green Cormorants breeding
here and there along the line of cliffs, and in consequence of
being so thinly scattered not appearing numerous anywhere
after passing Keadue.
On reaching Belderig at three o'clock, it being too late in the
day to go on to Porturlin, we walked from the harbour along
the cliffs to the first headland (Benwecruagh) and Horse
Island, where the old disused copper mine is situated ; the
island is a mere mass of rock, about half an acre in extent,
probably a hundred feet in height from the water, and joined
to the mainland by a ridge or causeway formed by the fallen
debris from the cliff, just above the highest spring tides. On
the flat summit of the island Oyster- catchers bred, and we
found their eggs in a depression in the rock, resting on a few
small stones for a lining to the nest. Oyster- catchers breed
all along the coast, on the small island rocks, and on the
bare summit of the cliffs in many places. In a hole of the
cliff in the south-west side a pair of Choughs had a nest, and
not far from it a pair of Black Guillemots had a nest also,
while another pair were in the water at the base. I was sur-
prised to see the Black Guillemots breeding so high, at least
ninety feet above the water. A pair of Grey Crows haunted
the cliffs also, and we were told these birds bred in many places
along the cliffs of that part of the coast. Guillemots and
Razorbills also had nests on the headland and inside the
entrance of some large caves at the base.
Next morning we set out on our seven miles' walk over the
cliffs to Porturlin, and when crossing the river that flows just
below the village of Belderig, we were surprised at hearing a
Whinchat singing, and shortly after saw him on a furze-bush on
a bank, but although we searched carefully for the nest were
unsuccessful, although we were certain it was near, for the
bird was always near the same part of the little field. We were
A 4
204 '^^^^ Irish Naturalist.
glad to have ascertained that the range of the Whinchat ex-
tended so far to the north-west of the county, for the only
other locality in North Mayo where I have met this bird is
near Killala.
On walking along the cliffs, we found that, irrespective of
the great breeding-haunts in the bays, there were many
smaller colonies of Kittiwakes, Guillemots, and Razorbills
scattered all along ; and that many were passed over unnoticed
in consequence of not being within view from the land side,
it being quite impossible to see them without a boat. On the
east side of lyoughtmurriga, on a ledge a short way below the
summit of the cliff, we saw the old nest of an eagle that had
been robbed about four years ago ; it was an immense heap
of sticks, apparently composed of the thick stems and roots
of heather. The various rock-birds were as numerous as ever,
but in consequence of the Puffins being hatching inside their
holes, the birds sitting on the cliffs and on Moistha Island
did not appear in such numbers as when visited later last
season.
On the land side of lyoughtmurriga, in a patch of the only
long heather we met, we were surprised to see a pair of Stone-
chats and their fulh^-fledged young flitting about. The slope
of the hill on which this long heather was growing had less
turf on it, and was drier, which was the cause of the more
luxuriant growth. On arriving at Porturlin we engaged a
curragh and four men to take us out to Pig's Island (Pig's-
back its local name), about half a mile to the west of the
harbour, a long narrow island about 150 feet high, with steep
sides, and having a great archway through the centre. On
the sheltered ledges underneath an immense colony of Kitti-
wakes bred, while in holes in the turf and under stones large
numbers of Puffins and Razorbills were hatching, and Herring
Gulls on the grassy top. We put a boy on the rocks, and he
scrambled up and got us some Puffins' and Razorbills' eggs,
and a clutch of Herring Gulls also, but the wind rising and
the sea getting up, he was obliged to hasten down, and it was
with great difficulty we got him safe on board again. It was
very provoking the wind rising and not giving time to search
for the Stormy Petrels that had nests in the turf over the arch,
and from which, some weeks later, an addled ^^'g and several
birds were sent to Mr. Scroope. On several rocky islets at the
Birds observed Breeding on the Coasts of Sligo and Mayo. 205
base of Altmore inside Pig's Island, thousands of Razorbills and
Guillemots were sitting — birds that would have been un-
noticed from the land side. It was most disappointing that
during our stay the wind kept blowing persistently from the
north-west, raising such a swell on the rocks that we had no
opportunity of exploring by boat, and until this can be done
the list of birds met with must necessarily be imperfect. We
then got to our car, and back to Belderig for the night, and
next morning drove by road to Porturlin, sending the car on
from there to meet us at Portacloy after our walk along the
cliffs.
Having engaged a very intelligent boy for a guide, we set
off on our walk over the cliffs. The bays at Altmore and
Altredmond have certainly the largest number of sea-birds
yet met with ; I am certainl}^ within bounds when I say the
Puffins were in hundreds of thousands, almost millions. At
Altredmond we saw another old nest of the eagle ; after
passing the last-mentioned bay we came to another, the large
bay mentioned in my first visit as having no sea-birds except
a few Guillemots and Razorbills near the entrance. A little
beyond it was a smaller bay bounded by the headland of
'* Spink," where the eagle's nest was last season. This was
a curiously shaped pointed rock, the outer end rising up into
a sharp pinnacle twenty or thirty feet high, upon which the
eagles used to stand, having a fine look-out all round them,
both inland and over the sea, so that they could not be
approached unawares from an}^ side ; and some feet below the
nest was situated, but not visible from the land side ; but
although we saw nothing of the eagles that day, the boy told
us they were all the season about the cliffs. In the same cliff
a pair of Peregrines had a nest, and we saw the Teiral take a
Puffin out of a flock and carry it to his mate and young at
the nest. From that bay right on to Portacloy the sea-birds
were breeding in large numbers, while at Portacloy we found
the largest colony of Guillemots and Razorbills that we had yet
seen, breeding by themselves apart from other birds. There
was another ej-rie of Peregrines in the cliff on the east side of
the cove, and a colony of Choughs, of which we saw the site
of one nest. Not having time to explore what remained of
the few miles of coast between Portacloy and Broadhaven,
including Benwee Head, we returned to Belderig for the night,
2o6 The Irish Naturalist.
thus ending a most enjoyable and interesting visit to a line of
coast which, for the number and variety of the birds breeding
on it, and for its wild and rugged scenery, cannot be equalled
in Ireland,
APPENDIX.
In the first part of this report, published in the July number
of the Irish Naturalist^ I erroneously stated (page 182, line 5)
**that for six miles west of Kilcummin Head no breeding
haunt is met with until Downpatrick Head is reached." I
was unaware, until a few weeks ago, of the fact of birds breed-
ing in that part. I had never visited it, nor could I get
reliable information until my young friend, Mr. G. Scroope,
of Ballina, passing along the coast in an excursion steamer
on the 28th of June, observed several breeding stations on the
cliffs between Lacken Bay and Downpatrick Head. Stimulated
by this information, on the nth inst., in company of Mr. G.
Scroope, his father, and brother, I drove to Lacken Bay, and
then walked along the cliffs as far as Crevagh Head, where
we were obliged to return by heavy and persistent rain coming
on.
We met five breeding stations of Kittiwake Gulls (the
smallest of about 130 pairs), while Razorbills and Guillemots
frequented each station. Herring Gulls were met with at only
two. A pair of Great Black-backed Gulls were also observed,
but not breeding, having evidently come from their great
breeding-haunt on Doonbrista, off Downpatrick Head,
As Crevagh Head is only half-way to Downpatrick, many
other stations are probably on the unexplored cliffs extending
in that direction, which at some future time I hope to visit.
The Green Cormorants breed all along the line of coast, but
none of the Great species were seen anywhere on the clifis
during our walk.
[ 207 1 ^
CAPTURES OF COI.EOPTKRA IN IREIvAND DURING
THE SPRING OF 1895.
BY JAMES J. WAI.KKR, R.N., F.EJ.S.
Hkr Majesty's ship '' Northampton," employed on special
training and recruiting service, visited several Irish ports
during April and May of the present year, and I lost no oppor-
tunity of working hard for Coleoptera whenever I was able to
land. I was favoured with fine weather during nearly the
whole of the cruise, but a hard gale of wind experienced at
two of the most interesting places — viz., Bangor and Bun-
crana, interfered somewhat with collecting, and no doubt
reduced the number of species which would otherwise have
been observed. At the suggestion of the Rev. W. F.Johnson
of Armagh, I forward a full list of my captures to the Irish
Nahiralist as a small contribution to our knowledge of the
Coleopterous fauna of Ireland. All the species on which I had
any doubt have been examined and identified by my friend,
Mr. G. C. Champion.
Taken at Queenstown, Co. Cork, 27th April to 8th May,
1895:—
Carabus nemoralls, Mull.— Scarce.
C. granulatus, I,.— Common under stones, &;c.
Notlophilus bigfuttatus F.
Nebria brevicollls, P.
Loricera pilicornis, F.
Cllvina fossor, L.— Common.
Badister bipustulatus, F. — Occasional under stones.
Acupalpus dorsalis, F.— Ivocal, by sweeping in damp places and
under stones,
A. exiguus, var. luridus, Dej.— With the preceding, scarce.
Harpalus latus, L. — Common, under stones on dry hill-sides.
H. proteus, Payk.— Not common.
Dichlrotrlchus pubesccns, Payk.— Under stones on the shore.
PoecIIus cuprcus, Iv, ) Occasionally found running on paths,
P. versicolor, Sturm. JT &c,
Ptcrostlchus madidus, F.
P. vulgaris, L,.
p. nigrita, F. ) . , ,
P, strcnuus, Panz. [ Not rare, in damp places.
P, dlllgcns, Sturm. )
5o8 The Irish Naturalist.
Abax strloIa« F. — Occasionally under stones.
Amara lunlcollls, Schiod.)
A. communis, Panz, V On paths, &c., close to the town.
At trlvlalls, Gyll. )
Calathus clsteloldes, Panz.
Anchomenus parumpunctatus, F.~Damp places.
Bembldlum rufescens, Guer.— Scarce, under stones.
B. obtusum, Sturm.
B. lam pros, Herbst.
Demetrlas atrlcapillus, L.
Dromius linearis, 01.
D. nigrrlventrls, Thorns.— Scarce, under stones on hillsides.
Agrabus bipustuiatus, ly.
Gyrlnus opacus, Sahl.
Aleochara brevlpennis, Gr.— One specimen.
A. lanugrinosa, Grav.
A. maesta, Grav.
Oxypoda longrlusciila, Er. — In wet places.
Astllbus canallculatus, P.
Homalota vestlta, Gr. — On muddy sea-shore.
H. g:ramInIcola, Gyll.
Tachyporus obtusus, var. nitldlcollls, Steph.~Not rarely, by
sweeping, &c.
Tachlnus ruflpes, Iv.
Megracronus cingulatus, Mann. — One specimen, under a stone.
IVIycetoporus splendens, Marsh.
Quedlus tristis, Grav.
Q. moloctilnus, Grav.
Q. fumatus, Steph. — One example.
Staphyllnus pubescens, DeG.— Four specimens, on dusty road.
S. caesarcus, Ceder. — Common.
Ocypus ater, Grav. — Occasionally under stones.
Phllonthus splendens, F.— One fine male, by sweeping.
P. lamlnatus, Creutz.
P. marglnatus, F.
XanthoIInus linearis, Ol.
Baptolinus alternans, Grav. — Under decaying fir bark.
Lathroblum boreale, Hoch.
L. brunnipes, F. — Common.
L. quadratum, Payk. — One specimen, in wet place.
Platystethus cornutus, Gyll.— By sweeping.
- Bryaxis haematica, Reich.— One, by sweeping.
Sllpha atrata, L. — Common, and very variable, from the most
pronounced form, subrotttndata, Steph., to specimens indistinguishable
from those I have from Kent and Hampshire.
Choleva serlcea, F.— By sweeping.
Hlster carbonarlus, 111.— Taken on the wing.
Captures of Coleoptera in IrelaJid during the Spri^ig of 1895. 209
Coccinelia xlv-gruttata, I^,
C. xviii -guttata, L.
C. xiv-punctata, L.
Epuraea melina, Er. —By sweeping.
E. florea, Er.
Otnosita discoidea; F.— Scarce.
IVleligethes virldescens, F.
Coninotnus nodifcr, Westw. — One or two, by sweeping.
IVIicrambe vini, Panz. — Common, on furze-blossom.
Onthophag'us fractlcornis, Payk. — Locally common, in sheep-
dung.
Aphodius erraticus, L. \
A, fossor, L. f
A. ater, DeG. VMore or less plentiful, in dung.
A, merdarius, F. |
A. rufipes, L. /
Athous haemorrholdalis, F. — Common, by sweeping.
Cyphon variabilis^ Thunb.
Helodes margin ata, F.— Common, by sweeping on the banks of a
stream.
CIS fcstlvus, Panz. — Rare, under Beech bark.
Lema lichen is, Voet. —Common, by sweeping, varying to quite
black.
L. Erichsoni, Suffr. — Six specimens of this rare species were taken
on May 7th and 8th, bj sweeping on grassy banks.
Chrysomcia Banksi, F.— Scarce.
Castroldea viridula, De G.— On dock, rather sparingly.
Phaedon armoraciae, L. ,
Calerucella tenella, L.
Haltica lythrl, Aub^— One specimen, by sweeping.
Phyllotreta ncmorum, L.
• P. brasslcse, F. — On Cardamine p-atensis.
Aphthona nonstrlata, Goeze— Abundant, on Iris pseudacoi-us.
Plectroscelis concinna, Marsh.
Helops striatus, Fourc— Not rare, under fir-bark.
Rhlnosimus planlrostris, F.— By sweeping.
Wleloc proscarabseus, L.— Very local, occurring in one lane only.
Rhynchltes mlnutus, Hbst.— Several, by sweeping.
Aplon subulatum, Kirb)-. ^
A. ml n latum, Germ. I ,
A. cruentatum, Walt. (All more or less common, by sweep-
A. trifolll, L. I ing.
A. nigritarsc, Kirby. |
A. vircns, Hbst. J
A. Striatum, Kirby.— Not rare, on furze-blossom.
A. Cyllcnhall, Kirby. ) ^ sweeping.
A. hydrolapathi, Kirby. 5 ^ *- »
Ai humlle, Germ.
210 The Irish Naturalist.
Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, F.— Not rare.
O. plclpes, F.— Common.
Strophosomus coryli, F.— Common.
Llophlaeus nuUIIus, F.— Several specimens.
Sciaphilus murlcatus, F.— Common.
S. retusus, Marsh. — Not rare, on Furze-blossom, &c.
Sitones cinerascens, Fahr.— Two examples, by sweeping.
S, regrensteinensis, Hbst. \ r^ ^
S. tibialis, Hbst. ; Common, on Furze.
S. flavescens, Marsh.
S. sulcifrons, Thunb.— By sweeping.
Hypera punctata, F.
H, rutnicis, L.— Common, on docks.
H. plantag:inis, DeG.
H. trilineata, Marsh —One or two, by sweeping.
H. nigrirostris, F.
Liosoma ovatulum, Clairv.— Common, in damp places. I have
taken the var. collaris, Rye, here in moss, in November, 1894.
Orchestes qucrcus, L. \
O. aini, Iv. [ Rarely, by sweeping,
var. ferrug^ineus. Marsh. )
O. fas'!, I/. — A-bundant on beech.
Erlrrhinus acridulus, L.— In damp places.
Dorytomus tortrix, ly.— Under poplar bark, rare.
IVIecinus pyraster, Herbst.
Anthonomus pedicularius, L.— By sweeping.
Ceuthorrhynchus assimllts, Payk. "| '
C. crysimi, F. |
C. contractus, Marsh. ! By general sweep-
C. pollinarius, Forst. f ing.
C. plcurostigma. Marsh. |
Ceuthorrhynchidius troglodytes, F. J
Rhinoncus pericarpus, L.
Balaninus pyrrhoceras. Marsh— Scarce.
Rhopalomesites Tardy!, Curt. — Remains common in Beech, but
living specimens not observed.
Phloeophthorus rhododactylus. Marsh— One specimen, off
Furze.
Pityophthorus puttesccns. Marsh {micrographusy Brit. Cat.) — One,
by sweeping.
At Midletown, Co. Cork, I took the following species on the
afternoon of May 6th : —
Amara ovata, F. — One, under a stone.
Aleochara ttrcvipcnnis, Grav.— One, in dusty road.
Staphylinus caesareus, Ceder. — Two examples.
Tachyporus obtusus, var. n itidicoll Is, Steph.— By sweeping.
Boletobius trinotatus, Er.— By sweeping, under firs.
Lathrobium toorcale, Hoch.
Piatystethus cornutus, Gyll.
I By sweeping, in a marshy place.
Captures of Coleoptera in Ireland during the Spring of 1895. 211
Omaliumexcavatum, vSteph.
Silpha atrata, L. — Brown variety.
Anisotoma calcarata, Br. — One male specimen.
Olibrus toicolor, F.
IYIicropeplustnarg^ai*ltse, Duv.
IVIonotoma spinicollis, Aube.— By sweeping, nnder fir trees.
Coccinella hieroglyph ica, L.— One specimen.
Aphodlus sticticus, Panz. — One example, by sweeping under firs.
Lema ErichsonI, SufFr. — Two examples, by sweeping among weeds.
Prasocuris junci, Brahm.
Hydrothassa marginella, L.
Rhinosimus planirostris, F.— By sweeping.
Aplon subulatum, Kirby.— Common.
A. Cyllenhali, Kirby. — Several, by sweeping.
A. humilef Germ., &c.
Phyllobius otolongus, L. — Scarce and immature.
Barypeithes sulcifrons, Boh.— By sweeping under fir trees, rare.
Scfaphilus muricatus, F. — Not uncommon.
Coeliodes iv-maculatus, L,.— Abundant, on nettles.
PhytoltJius Iv-tuberculatus, F. > , ^
Hylastes ater, Payk. S ^^ ^^eeprng under fir trees.
On May 13th and 14th inst., I met with the following
species, between Bangor and Newtownards, Co. Down : —
Carabus neinoralis, Mull. — One specimen.
Ci grranulatus, Iv.
Poecllus versicolor, Sturm. — In the road.
Pterostlchus madidus, F.
P. niger, Schall. — One specimen.
P. nigrita, F.
Aleochara fusel pes, F.— In carrion.
Staphylinus putoescens, DeG. — One example, caught on the
wing.
S. erythropterus, L. — Under stones, and running on the road.
Philonthus aeneus, Rossi.
P. laminatus, Creutz.
Lathrobium elongatum, L.
L. fulvipenne, Grav.
Eusphalerum prlmulae, Steph.— Not rare, by sweeping.
Silpha atrata, L. — Brown variety only.
Anisotoma calcarata, Er.— Five specimens of both sexes, by
sweeping.
Choleva airills. 111. — One specimen.
Epurasa aestlva, Iv.
E. melina, Er. — By sweeping.
Mlcropeplus margarltae, Duv. 1
Latridius lardarlus, De G. > By sweeping.
Coninomus nodlfer, Westw. J
212 . The Irish Nattiralist
Cytilus varius F.— Three specimens.
Aphodius depressus, Kug.— In dung.
Athous haemorrhoidalis, F.— Common.
Agriotcs obscurus, Iv.
Corymbites quercus, Gyll. ] In great abundance, by sweeping in
var. ochropterus, Steph. > grass fields ; intermediate forms
) common.
Telephorus limbatus, Thoms.— By sweeping.
Lema Erichsoni, Suffr. — Two specimens, by sweeping, on 13th.
May.
Lochmsea sutu rails. Thoms. — By sweeping heather.
Blaps mucronata, Latr. — One in Newtownards.
Rhlnosimus planirostris, F.— By sweeping.
Apion carduorum, Kirby.
A. viclae, Payk.
A. crvi, Kirby.
A. Cyllenhali, Kirby.— Rather common, by sweeping under trees,
A* hydrolapathl, Kirby. — Common.
A. humlle, Germ, &c.
Otiorrhynchus picipes, F.
Strophosomus coryll, F.
Sciaphilus murlcatus, F. — Common.
Llophlaeus nubilus, F. — Common, some of the specimens very
large.
Phyllobius oblongus, Iv. — Not rare, by sweeping.
Barypeithes sulcifrons, Boh.— Not rare in one place, by sweep-
ing under trees.
Barynotus obscurus, F.— Under stones and by sweeping.
Sitones tibialis, Herbst.
S. sulcifrons, Thunb.
Hypera rumicls, L.
H. polygoni, Iv — One or two, by sweeping.
H. trilineata, Marsh. — One specimen.
Llosoma ovatulum, Clairv. — Common, in damp places.
CcBlIodes cardui, Herbst. — Rarely, by sweeping.
Ceuthorrhynchus cricae, Gyll. \ By sweeping heather at " Helen's
C. contractus, Marsh. ) Tower. '
C. quadridens, Panz.— Not rare, by sweeping.
C. pollinarius, Forst.
C. angulosus, Boh.— Three examples of this very rare species were
taken on May 14th, by sweeping under trees bordering a marshy place,
about a mile from Bangor.
C. pleurostig-ma, Marsh. — Common.
C. rugulosus, Herbst. — One or two by sweeping.
Rhlnoncus pericarpius, L.
Lltodactylus Icucogaster, Marsh.— One, by sweeping on banks of
a pond.
Phytobius Iv-tuberculatus, F.— One or two, by sweeping.
(TO BE CONCIvUDED.)
[ ^13 ]
NOTES ON A NEW BRITISH BEETI.E.
Otiorrhy7ichus atiroptmctatus, Gyll.
WITH REMARKS ON THK DISTRIBUTION OF IRISH ANIMALS.
BY GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B SC.
Three years ago, Mr. H. K. Gore Cuthbert, in a paper on the
Weevils of South lyouth,^ recorded a species from the north
of the Boyne mouth obtained by beating Alder and Beech as
Otiorrhynchus maurus, Gyll., a mountain beetle of which the
only Irish specimens were taken in 1875 by Mr. G. C.
Champion on Slieve Donard% Mr. Cuthbert remarked that his
insects were much lighter in colour than the typical O. maurus.
Mr. J. N. Halbert recently took the same species in some
numbers at various points in Cos. Dublin, Meath and lyouth,
and, with his usual careful discrimination, observed structural
differences between it and O. maurus of much greater value
than the colour distinction. A suspicion that we had a Weevil
new to the British list was awakened, and specimens were
sent to some of the leading British coleopterists. One of
them, Mr. G. C. Champion, in a recent note,^ has pronounced
the insect to be O. auropuftctatus, Gyll., a Pyrenean species,
found also in the Auvergne and in Spain, and a most note-
worthy addition to our fauna.
The identification of this Weevil as O. utaurus, Gyll., was
natural enough, as, by the table for discriminating the
Otiorrhynchi in Canon Fowler's *' Coleoptera of the British
Islands,'"* the captor of our insect would be readily led to refer
it to that species, with which O. auropunctatus agrees in its
unspined front femora, and rugose pronotum and elytra. It
is, however, not closely related to- O. maurus^ from which its
much longer legs and antennae distinguish it at once. The
first two joints of the funiculus of the antennae are consider-
ably longer than the succeeding joints, and are themselves of
unequal length, the second being half as long again as the
first (fig. 2). The British species to which it approaches most
nearly is O. tenebricosus, Herbst ; from this, as Mr. Champion
points out, it may be easily separated by its smaller size, and
^ Irish Nat., vol. i,, 1892, p. 158. ^ EhUMo> Mag., vol. xii , p. 82.
^ Ent. Mo, Mag.y vol. xxxi., 1895, p. 133. * VoL v., p. 174.
214
The Irish Naturalist.
rougher surface. Mr. Champion further remarks that it re-
sembles a atroapterus, DG., in shape and size, but differs also
from that species in its rougher sculpture. O. auropunctatus
derives its name from the scattered patches of golden pubes-
cence on the thorax and elytra— an adornment which becomes
very easily rubbed off. Our Irish specimens vary in colour
from rich chestnut brown to almost black.
Otiorrhynchus auropunctatus, Gyll.
Fig. I Female, iiat. size. Fig. 2 Male, magnified.
Fig. 3 Hinder end of abdomen of Male.
The section of Otiorrhynchus to which O. aiiropimctatus
belongs is characterised' by the very distinct longitudinal
striation (fig. 3) beneath the hindmost abdominal segment in
the male. This group is specially characteristic of the
Mediterranean district and Southern Europe, only a few species
— of which O. tenebricosus is one — extending their range into
Central and Northern Europe. We have, therefore, in this
beetle a most interesting addition to the group of animals of
southern origin, which, absent or extremely rare in northern
Continental Europe and in Great Britain, form so interesting
a feature in the fauna of Ireland.
I^rom the various captures of this weevil by Messrs. Cuth-
bert and Halbert, it appears to be distributed along the eastern
Irish coast from Carlingford to Dublin. The localities where
^ O. Stiefliil— Bestimmungstabellen der Europ. Curculioniden Schaff-
hauseti, 1883,
Notes on a New British Beetle. 215
it has been found are Santry, Raheny, Portmarnock, and
Donabate in Co. Dublin ; I^aytown in Co. Meath ; Ternionfeckin
and Carlingford in Co. lyouth. It is obtained by beating
shrubs and trees. It is certainly remarkable that so com-
paratively large an insect should have been overlooked by the
older naturalists ; not a specimen is to be found in the collec-
tion of that prince of Irish entomologists, the late A. H. Haliday.
One can only conjecture that, in the localities where the insect
occurs, he did not for some reason collect by beating or .sweep-
ing. The wide distribution of the weevil and the analogy of
its range with that of other animals show that its presence here
cannot be ascribed to recent introduction. While it is not
possible to assert definitely that O. auropunctatus does not
occur in Great Britain, it is hardly likely that it has been
overlooked for many years in a country so well supplied with
coleopterists.
From the discovery of this weevil in Ireland we are naturally
led to speculations as to how it found its v/ay here. In a case in
the Dublin Museum, recently described by me,^ I have ventured
to roughly group the animals of the British fauna in three
divisions : — those with a wide range over the whole of our
islands, those characteristic of the south-eastern and lowland
districts of Great Britain (" Teutonic Fauna"), and those
characteristic of Ireland and the western and highland dis-
tricts of Great Britain (" Celtic Fauna"). In this last division,
two distinct groups of animals at least can be recognised.
One includes animals of northern origin, characteristic of
northern and arctic Europe, and sometimes also of the Alps,
which have come into Ireland by way of Scotland ; of such the
ground-beetle Pelophila borealis, is perhaps the most striking
example. The other group comprises animals of southern
origin, which, outside the British ^ Isles, are found in the
Mediterranean district, and extend their range in some in-
stances as far as the Madeira, Canaries, and Azores. It is
clearly to this latter group that Otiorrhyiichus auropjaietatus
must be assigned.
Dr. R. F. Scharff's recent preliminary paper on the Origin
of the Irish Fauna^ will doubtless be fresh in the minds of
all readers of these remarks, and his support of the theory
1
Report of Museums Association, 1894,, pp. 109, 117.
* Proc, Rd.A, (3) vol. iii., 1894, p. 479.
2i6 l^he Irish Naturalist.
of an ancient freshwater lake on the site of the present Irish
Sea and St. George's Channel, with land-connections to the
north and to the south of it, across both of which animals
passed into Ireland, will be seen to correspond with the sub-
divisions of our fauna which I have here suggested. As Dr.
Scharff states that the land-connections in question were of
Pliocene age, it is clear that he does not believe in the total
extinction of our fauna either by land-ice or by submergence
during the Pleistocene Period, which is generally held by
geologists and zoologists. For the reasons for this disbelief
we must await the publication of his promised large memoir.
I would, however, call attention to the fact that Mr. Jukes-
Browne^ locates a lake in a similar situation during the
Pleistocene Period, after the Ice Age had passed away, and
the land had risen once more from the glacial sea. He sup-
poses the immigration of our fauna to have taken place then.
But, whether earlier or later, it seems clear that the animals
of the Celtic fauna were passing, one group southwards, the
other northwards, between the St. George's lake and the coast
of the Atlantic, then far to the west of the present Irish coast-
line, before the animals of the Teutonic fauna crossed the site
of the present North Sea into Great Britain. The breaking
down of the land-connections with Ireland, and the conver-
sion of the St. George's lake, first into a gulf, and then into a
sea-channel, prevented, as has been pointed out by Dr. A. R.
Wallace'' and other naturalists, the extension of these into
Ireland.
The distribution in Ireland of Otionhynchus auropicndatus
recalls that of the land-snail, Helix pis a?ia, which inhabits our
eastern coast to the north of Dublin, extending however only
from the south of Co. I^outh to Rush in Co. Dublin^ but
appearing in Great Britain at points in South Wales and
Cornwall. Its distribution abroad extends all over the
Mediterranean region and to the Madeira, Canaries, and
Azores. Another distinctively Mediterranean animal, the
ground-beetle Nebria complanata, now placed by Dr.
Ganglbauer^ in a peculiar genus, Eurynebria, is also
characteristic of the east coast of Ireland, but is found onl}^ to
1 " The Building of the British Isles," London, 1888, p. 298^ PI. xiv.
' "Island Life," 2nd ed., London, 1892, p. 379.
2 " Die Kafer von Mitteleuropa," vol. i, AVien, 1892, p. 98.
Notes on a Neiv British Beetle. ^17
the south of Dublin, in Counties Wicklow and Wexford. lyike
Helix pisa7ia, it occurs also in South Wales and South-western
England (North Devon). Now, most of the distinctive Celtic
animals of southern origin are characteristic of the west coast
of Ireland, where occur those plants of the Atlantic type
which have made our western counties so fascinating a field
for botanists. For example, the famous Kerry Slug, Geomalacus
viaculostis, and the Galway Burnet Moth, Zygcena nubigefia, are
unknown in eastern Ireland. It seems therefore that we can
trace for the Celtic animals of southern origin a western and
an eastern line of migration ; the former along the Atlantic
sea-coast of the old continental land, the latter along the
valley of the river which flowed south-westward from the
ancient St. George's lake, and which must have received the
Severn and the rivers of eastern and southern Ireland as
tributaries. Our fine Dublin House-Spider, Tegenaria hibernicay
Cb., very closely allied to a Pyrenean species, must be re-
garded as belonging to the eastern migration. It occurs in
Cork as well as in Dublin, but we must remember that the
Lee as well as the I^iffey was a tributary of the ancient eastern
river. This spider, though undoubtedly indigenous, has
apparently found human dwellings more comfortable than
the open air in our north-western island.
If we accept Dr. ScharfPs view that our Celtic fauna is pre-
Glacial — and it is certain that it is older than the Teutonic
fauna — we might believe that by the ancient Atlantic coast,
and along the banks of this old river, such mild conditions of
climate prevailed that species were able to maintain them-
selves in those localities, while most of the present land-sur-
face of Ireland was covered with glaciers. The objection to
such a view, which will at once occur to geologists, is the
apparent submergence of the hills of Wales and Dublin to the
extent of about 1,400 feet as evidenced by the shell-gravel on
Moel Tryfaen and Two-rock Mountain. Moreover, the
marine origin of the Boulder-Clay which Mr. J. Wright's recent
discoveries of foraminifera in that deposit render highly
probable, would require a submergence as fatal to a pre-Glacial
fauna as the orthodox ice-sheet. But, if the migrations we
are discussing took place in Pleistocene times as the ice passed
away, and the land (after deep submergence and .subsequent
elevation) subsided towards its present level, the animals would
2 1 8 The Irish Na hi 7 a list.
naturally reach their present stations on the western and east-
ern Irish coasts respectively. Some individuals of the eastern
(river- valley) migration would retire eastwards towards what
is now south-western England and Wales, where a few of
their descendants are still to be found ; but the incursion of
the newer Teutonic fauna has made their persistence there
harder than in Ireland, and so we find that some of the species,
as Otiorrhy7ichtcs atiroptmctattis, are absent from Great Britain,
while the rest are scarcer there than in Ireland. Some animals
of the western migration seem to have passed on northwards
into Scotland ; the Galway Burnet Moth for instance occurs
in Argyllshire. The land-connection to the north of the old
lake remained after the southern river- valley had been sub-
merged beneath the sea.^
As an example of a southern species which appears to have
followed both the western and eastern lines of migration, we
may take our peculiar holly-boring weevil, Mesites Tardyi,
Curtis, belonging to a most characteristic Mediterranean and
Atlantic genus. Abundant in the south-west of Ireland, this
insect occurs near Westport, and in the Clyde and Argyll dis-
tricts of Scotland ; it seems therefore to have passed north-
wards along the old Atlantic seaboard. But it is also found
at places on our eastern coast from Wicklow to Belfast, as
well as across the Channel in North and South Devon, which
suggests that it also followed the old river and lake valley to
the east of modern Ireland^
Our comparison of the distribution of our new British
Beetle with that of other animals has therefore opened up to
us problems of the highest interest in the past geography of
our islands, and of the neighbouring continental lands.
The discontinuous range of these southern forms shows them
to be of very considerable antiquity. Whether they entered
our country in Pliocene or Pleistocene times, they mUvSt have
preceded those members of our fauna which have come to
us directly from Central Europe. The land- tracts over
which these distinctly Pyrenean and Mediterranean animals
had travelled to Ireland, were covered by the waters of the
sea, while early races of men were still able to ramble into
Britain over an isthmus where the waves of the Straits of
Dover and the North Sea now roll.
^ Cf. A. J. Jukes-Browne, op. cit., PI. xv., and R. F. Scharflf, he. p. 485,
[ 219 ]
PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.
RoYAi, Zooi^oGiCAi, Society.
Recent donations comprise a Badger from W. J. Matson, Esq., and a
number of fish from P. Mahony, Esq. A Golden Agouti has been pur-
chased, and a Red Deer fawn born in the Gardens.
16,150 persons visited the Gardens in June.
Dubinin Microscopicai, Ci,ub.
May i6th.— The Club met at Mr. F. W. Moore's.
Mr. Greenwood Pim exhibited a curious black mould which occurred
on Bananas, given him by Prof. Cole, and which had been imported from
the Canary Islands. Being unable to identify it, Mr. Pim sent specimens
to Mr. Massee, who states it is Glenospora Cicrtisii (Berk.), and that it
had not previously occurred in Great Britain.
Professor T. Johnson exhibited Ectocarpus sccundus (Kiitz.), a brown
sea- weed showing two kinds of flurilocular sporangia, like those des-
cribed recently in this species by Bornet, who found the plurilocular
sporangia differing in size, shape, and in the size of the compartments.
The contents of the larger loculi are probably female, and of the smaller
male. Direct experimental evidence is required. The species (taken in
Bantry Bay) is an addition to the list of Irish species.
Mr. M'Ardi^E exhibited Diplophylluin miniitum, (Dicks.), which he
collected recently in L,ord Howth's demesne. The specimens of this rare
liverwort showed the dichotomous branching of the plant, and shoots
bearing in the axil of each leaf antheridia of a large size, having
remarkably long pseudopodia. .
June 20th.— The Club met at Mr. Greenwood Pim's, who exhibited
Ustilago Vaillantii (TuL), which .occurred on the anthers and ovones of
Scilla bifolia in the Trinity College Botanic Garden, forming the so-called
" Black-eyed " variety of that Scilla. It was referred to Dr. P. Wright,
who kindly identified it, and states that it is an addition to the British
Mycologic Flora. It is said to occur also on Gupa lutea,
Mr. M'ArdIvE exhibited Jtatgermania bicrenata (Lindenberg), which he
recently collected in Howth Demesne. This scarce plant is easily
separated from the other \i\di.^r\.\.dX^ Jiingermani(x, by the smaller size, acute
segments of its leaves, and remarkable guttulate cells, and above all the
paroecious inflorescence. It is an addition to the Co. Dublin list of
liverworts.
Mr. J. N. HaIvBERT exhibited the nymph of Cryptostemma alienw/i, H.S.,
recently captured amongst wet gravel in the bed of the Dodder, near
. Tallaght. Mr. A. H. Haliday, when recording this insect from the Black
Lakes, Co. Kerry (JVat. Hist. Rev. 1855, p. 61), mentioned the occurrence
of theyellowishlarvceandpupaewiththeperfectinsect. The nymph, how-
ever, is further distinguished by the presence of a well-defined red colour
patch on the dorsal side of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th abdominal segments.
This species, which at first gave some trouble as regards its affinities, is
now placed among the Ci/nicidcc next Ceratocombtis.
Mr. Henry J. Seymour showed a section of a Gold-bearing Quartz-
Diorite, from Fort Salisbury, Matabeleland. The gold, which occurs in
small fragments quite visible to the unaided eye, is almost entirely
220 The hish Naturalist,
developed in, or near, the crystals of hornblende ; the lattermaking up
about 20 per cent, of the total bulk of the rock. In the mass, the rock
has a slight schistose structure, and is said to yield from 80-100 oz. of
gold per ton. The mean result of several experiments gave its sp. gr. as
2 85. A few cr3^stals of sphene, and some of titanic iron, appear in the
section.
RE;y. Canon Russell showed a preparation of the feathers of a duck
showing the scales, to the peculiar structure of which their irridescence
is evidently due. The feathers had been boiled first in caustic potash,
and reduced almost to a pulp, and then put up in glycerine jelly. Their
metallic lustre could be plainly seen after this treatment under reflected
light. The barbs seem to be composed of a single file of cells, marked
longitudinally with fine lines like those on the scales of the wings of
the Lepidoptera, which bring out the colours found on all such striated
surfaces.
These stride appear to have been noticed before ; but in the centre of
each scale there is a well-marked oval or round figure, of which the
exhibitor could get no account from any book. It was conjectured that
they might be the nuclei of epithelial cells. If this be so, the only
way of accounting for their absence in the scales of butterflies and
beetles, is that on these latter the scales are simply inserted in sockets,
and are not organically connected with the membrane on which they are
set. The cells of the barbs seem to grow out of the substance of the
feather, and cannot be detached from it. The feathers examined were
those of the Peacock, the Teal, and an Argentine Duck ; in all the same
structure is to be found.
Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.
June 15. — A party of twenty-five proceeded by the Northern Counties
Railway to Limavady and the valley of the Roe, On arrival at the
prosperous clean town of Limavad}-, a start was made for the Glen, a
distance of a couple of miles. The first halt was made at O'Cahan's Rock,
where the party spent a pleasant hour botanizing, lunching, and
photographing, the splendid crag forming a feature hard to surpass.
Mrs. Leebody, the well-known Derry botanist, joined here, and her
local knowledge proved useful throughout the day. A steep climb from
the river-bed brought all to the top of the precipitous rock, from which
the view of the Roe Valley was very beautiful. The Dog's Leap was then
made for, where the curious pot-holes below the bridge came in for a
share of observation, and where those members interested in engineer-
ing (among whom Mr. A\'. A. Traill, of Bushmills, was prominent)
enjoyed an inspection of the electric light station and sawmill owned
and worked by Mr. J. E. Ritter, J. P., to whom the Club were indebted
for this pleasure. The dynamos are driven by a turbine, the mill by an
ordinary wheel, and a new pit is in process of formation for an additional
turbine. After enjoying the cool water of the well, the return journey was
begun, passing down the other side of the river through woods where
the most delightful views of water and mountains were obtained.
Here the botanists were pleased to find a great profusion of Lastnca
(€inula, a fern which is locally uncommon. Mr. Ritter's house at Roe
Park was soon reached, and by his courtesy was thrown open to those
of the party who cared to inspect a most perfectly ai)pointed amateur's
workshop.
Proceedings of Irish Societies. 221
On leaving the house, a mile and a half or so brought the party to the
Alexander Arms, where an excellent tea was provided. After tea, Mr.
W. H. Patterson thanked Mr. W. Gray in the name of the Club for the
trouble he had taken in acting as guide to this most interesting, but
little known district. A short business meeting was then held, and the
following were elected members: — Dr. Lorraine Smith, Mr. J. M M'llroy,
Mr. John Bain, Mr. vS. K, Kirker, C.E., of the Board of Works, Major-
General Bland, Mr. John Savage, and Mr. James M. Fall. The 6-5 train
was then taken, reaching Belfast shortly after nine. The geology of the
district is mainly of rocks either Silurian or older, being mainly mica
schists, with bands of primary limestone interstratitied, as Mr. Gray
pointed out near the Dog's Leap. During a short wait at Limavady
Junction, Mr. W. H. Patterson obtained samples of the very rich estuarine
clay which covers the whole neighbourhood, and on the return journey
several of the microscopists took lumps to wash down for foraminifera.
The very numerous shells were in excellent condition, although
the stay was not long enough to secure any rarities. The botanists had
the advantage of both Mr. S. A. Stewart's and Mrs. Leebody's presence.
During the day the botanists found the following plants which may be
worth mentioning : — Laniiuni album, Arenaria trinervis, Geum intermedium,
Listera Nidus-avis, Ca7'cx hvvigata, and Lastraea a-inula (Bree's fern). It
may also be worth noting the very great abundance of the larger variety
of the Cow- wheat {Melanipyrum pratense), the flowers being large and fine.
The weather being so dry, land shells were few, and none of them out
of the common. Altogether the day was a most enjoyable one, the party
being the right size for good work, and the weather being everything
that could be desired.
June i8th. — The Geological Section met at the Museum in the rooms
recently acquired by the Club to be fitted up as a library and laboratory,
where all collections formed by the Club can be preserved. Erratics
from northern boulder clay were contributed by Messrs, R. Bell,
J. Moore, J. St. J. Phillips, and A. G. Wilson, and details arranged about
the collections previously accumulated.
June 22nd. — The Geological Section visited Islandmagee, proceeding
from Magheramorne station across the ferr}', and along the shore to
Barney's Point, to explore the beds of Lower Lias which occur at that place,
underlying the Greensand and Chalk which fringe the western coast of
Islandmagee. The afternoon was spent in collecting fossils, including
two specimens of the rare Ceromya gibbosa, the original specimen hav-
ing been first discovered by Mr. W. Gray in this locality many years
ago. Nautilus, Pecten, Pinna, Lima, and other liassic fossils were also
obtained by the naturalists, who determined to revisit the shore
later in the season.
Dubinin Naturai^tsts' Fiei^d Ci^ub.
June 22nd. — A highly successful excursion was held, when a party of
60 members visited Glenasmole. Leaving Earlsfort- terrace at 1.30, in
brakes, the dusty roads were soon left behind, and when the steep hill
at Bohernabreena was surmounted, the beauty and pleasure of the scene
were fully appreciated. The deep glen with the reservoir shimmering
in the sunlight, the high brown mountain beyond, the hedges filled with
wild roses and Honeysuckle, and the meadows blazing with flowers,
formed indeed delightful contrasts to the hot and dusty streets of the
city. The partj^ drove straight to the head of the glen, where the
members scattered for a couple of hours. To the botanists fell the
222 The Irish Nahiralist.
principal spoils of the day. The sloping pastures capping the great drift
banks along the eastern side of the glen below the old churchyard of St.
Anne's rivalled a Swiss Alp in the number, variety, and brilliancy of
their flowers. Orchids were specially numerous here. The spotted
Orchis {0. maculata)^ the Tway-Blade {Listera ovata), the Frog Orchis
{Habenaria viridis), the Fragrant Orchis {H. conopsea), the Butterfly Orchis
{H. chloranthd), and the Green-winged Orchis (0. Morio) (this latter now
past flowering), were all gathered in abundance, while one of the botanists,
the Rev. C. F. D'Arcy, was fortunate enough to discover here a consider-
able quantity of the Marsh Helleborine (^Epipactis palustris), a species very
rare in the County Dublin, and not yet recorded for this station. Here,
too, Dr. M'Weeney pointed out some finely developed plants of the
Adder's Tongue [Ophioglosstim znilgaiuni) and the Moonwort {Botrychium
lunat-ia). The common Guelder Rose ( Vibttrmim opulus), truly native here,
was seen flowering by the rills, the Mountain Trefoil ( Trifolium medmni),
rather rare in the county, showed its heads of vivid crimson in abund-
ance, and the handsome Downy-leaved Rose was in full bloom on the
banks of the Reservoir.
At the opposite side of the glen some of the botanists ascended
Leecawn Mountain to the only known station for the Beech-Fern
{Polypodium phegopteris) vn County Dublin, and were pleased to find the
plant growing there quite as vigorously as when first discovered by the
Rev. C. F. D'Arcy in 1883. On the way down to the rendezvous at the
head of the glen two other rare County Dublin species were noted, the
Sweet Mountain Fern {Lasirea Oreopteris) abundant on the rock-strewn
slopes between 700 and 900 feet, and the Common Club-moss {Lycopodiu/n
clavaitwi) spreading its curious network of green stems over the ground
in the shade of the Bracken. In a marsh on the main arm of the Dodder
above the Lodge, some fine clumps of another rare County Dublin plant,
the Panicled Sedge {Carex paniailatd) were discovered by the Secretary.
Among the insects, Mr. Farrell found the large mountain ground-
beetle (Cfl;r^^z^j"^/a<^ra/?/^). Otherbeetles taken were Hydroportis septentrionalisy
Byrrhtts pilula, and Malthinus piinctaius. The plant-bug Calocoris striatcUus,
and a crane-fly of the mountain genus Ainalopis were also noteworthy.
All assembled at 6 o'clock, when Miss Gardiner had an ample repast
ready, which, by kind permission of Mrs. Power, was spread on the lawn
adjoining the pretty shooting-lodge .it the top of the glen. After tea a
short business meeting was held, at which J. A. Jackson and Mrs. Long
were elected members of the Club, and the President (Mr. G. H. Carpenter)
expressed the indebtedness of the members to Mrs. Power for her kind-
ness. Shortly afterwards the return journey was commenced, and the
city was reached at 10 o'clock.
— 223 —
NOTES.
ZOOLOGY.
POLYZOA.
Plumatella repens, L. In Ireland. — This pretty freshwater
polyzoan, which was first discovered in Ireland by Prof. Allman, has re-
cently been found by Mr. Greenwood Pirn in a small pond in his garden
at Monkstown. Mr. Pirn noticed it adhering to the underside of the
leaves of the white-water Lily {Nymphaca alba), and correctly identified
the interesting species as Plumatella repens,
R, F, SCHARFF, Dublin.
INSECTS,
Spi*lngr Lepidoptera at Armagh. — Owing to the long-continued
severity of the weather outdoor work was useless till April, However
I had dug some pupae in the autumn, and these being indoors emerged
at pretty much their usual time. A very beautiful Phigalia pedaria emerged
on February 8. It is very much suffused with yellow, and Mr. C. G.
Barrett, to whom I submitted it for inspection, tells me that it is the
most yellow form he has seen. On February i8th Hybemia viargiiiaria
emerged, the pupa had been dug up in the Palace Demesne. The
Tceniocavipce now began to appear, the first being T. incerta, which emerged
on March 2nd. On March 3otli one of my pupils brought me a specimen
of Anisopteryx ccscitlaria which he had caught m his house.
The sallows had suffered severely from the frost, and the bloom was late
and not abundant. However, on April i6th I and my friend, Mr. J. H.
Johnston, determined to see what we could get, and succeeded in captur-
ing TcEiiiocampa stabilis, T. incerta, T. gothica, T, gracilis, and a solitary
Xylocajiipa areola with Anticlea badiata taken on the wing. On the follow-
ing evening I was fortunate enough to take a nice specimen of T. opima,
and a pretty form oi Peronea hastiana. On the 19th we (Mr. Johnston and
myself) were joined in our nocturnal rambles by Rev. H. Harpur. This
proved a record night for numbers of moths. It was rather damp and
pitch dark, and consequently exactly suited for our fell purposes. We
took several T. gracilis, one T. opima, which fell to Mr. Harpur's lot, and
numbers of T. incerta, &c. T. gothica was present simply in crowds.
One curious thing happened : — we were working a large tree, and Mr.
Johnston, who was beating, not being able to reach the higher branches,
shook the tree violently, in the hopes that some at least would fall into
the sheet. Some certainly did, but immediately afterwards the lantern
was besieged by frantic moths which we proceeded with all our hands
to box. A fine Selenia bihinaria also flew to the lantern and fell a victim
to its misplaced confidence. T. gothica was far the most numerous, far
outnumbering all the others together. It varied somewhat in colour,
some being much darker and others rather lighter in hue than ordinary.
In size, however, they were very constant, also in markings. Hadena
thalassina emerged on May 2nd, and on the following evening I captured
Selenia bilunaria while out for a stroll. Butterflies now began to appear,
including battered Vanessa ^irtiae, Pararge egeria, with plenty of the pretty
Euchloe cardamines. EJvening rambles produced Cidaria siiffiimata, Coremia
224 "^^^^ Irish Naturalist,
unidentaria, C. ferriigata, Cahera ptisaria, E^ipithecia vulgata^ and a nice speci-
men of Anticlea nigyofasciaria. In my pupa case emerged Spilosovia
7nenthastri, Phragmatobia ficli^inosa, and Acro7i}/ita psi. I tried sugar many
times, but always without success. On May 25th I drove to Ivough Neagh,
and at Churchill took a few Theda rubi and Fidonia atomaria ; but being in
a hurry to reach the lake, I only spent a few minutes on the bog, and
hence the scantiness of my captures. — W. F. Johnson, Armagh.
Dyschirlus obscurus, Cyll. at Loug^h Neagrh, — This rare
beetle was taken by the late A. H. Haliday on the sandy shore of Lough
Neagh more than 40 years ago. Since his time no record of its capture
has been given. In the E. M. M. for 1893, Mr. G. C. Champion mentions
that he has found three specimens without locality in the collection of
the late Dr. Syme, who collected chiefly in Scotland. 1 have made
several unsuccessful attempts to obtain it at Lough Neagh. In 1893 I
took a single specimen, and last year two, but this year I and Mrs.
Johnson managed to capture quite a respectable number. Mr. Carpenter
kindly compared these with Haliday's specimens in the Science and Art
Museum, and also forwarded it to Herr Reitter. It agrees with Haliday's
insect, and Herr Reitter pronounces it to be undoubtedly D. obscurus, Gyll.
W. F. Johnson, Armagh.
The Strldulation of Corixa. — I have again had opportunity of
hearing a Corixa sing. The note increased in volume during the week I
had him. One evening a dozen people were listening ; I caught the
insect twice and put it in a bottle alone, but in both cases there was
silence until I restored it to its companions. Because of this I could not
examine it as I wished, but everyone agreed as to the motion made,
which was generally referred to as " combing its whiskers."
M. Thompson, Cork.
BIRDS.
Little Bittern In Co. Carlow.— Mr. Clarence Cary writes to
Land and Water for June ist that a Little Bittern was shot on the Barrow
at Carlow on May 19th.
MAMMALS.
Introduction of English Hares into Ireland. — Having been
asked more than once by correspondents if I could give them any in-
formation on the introduction of English Hares into Ireland, I propose
to publish in the Irish Naturalist a list of such introductions as have come
under my notice. Before doing so I should be much obliged to any
readers of this Journal who would kindly give me any notes on this subj ect,
such as might add to those I already possess.
G. K. H. Barrett-Hamii^ton, Kilmannock, New Ross.
Occurrence of the IVIarten in the County Waterford.— Two
specimens of the Marten (male and female), Martcs sylvaiica, were taken
here last month. They were both caught in rabbit traps, the female on
the 6th, the male on the 7th June. Length of the female 27^ inches ;
that of the male 30Hnches. They were both caught in a large rabbit
burrow in Curraghmore. The colour of the spots on the chest, in both
specimens, is yellow.
\Vii,i<iAM W. Fi^emyng, Coolfin, Portlaw, Co. Waterford.
4
•5
12;
>
pi!
>
^Ije girtelj Jtaturaltet^
Vol. IV. SEPTEMBER, 1895. No. 9.
IRISH FIELD CLUB UNION.
REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE AND EXCURSION
HELD AT GALWAY, JULY iiTh to lyto, 1895.
l.—GENERAL ACCOUNT.
BY R. IvLOYD PRAKGKR, B.B-,
Secretary Irish Field Club Union.
It may be desirable to preface the present account of the Galway Field
Club Conference with a note on the history and objects of the Irish Field
Club Union, under the auspices of which the Conference was held. In
July, 1894, a three-day joint excursion of the Dublin, Cork, and Ivimerick
Field Clubs was carried out, F^'ermoy being the headquarters of the
party. At a conference held on the evening of the second day, for the
discussion of Field Club matters, emphasis was laid on the isolation of
the southern Field Clubs, and on the desirability of bringing all the
Irish Field Clubs into closer contact. The suggestions made on this
occasion, and in subsequent discussions among the Secretaries of the
Clubs represented, were not lost sight of, and after some correspondence,
the following memorandum was submitted to the Committees of the
Belfast, Dublin, Cork, and Limerick Field Clubs : —
Memorandum.
In the carrying out of the duties connected with their offices, the
Secretaries of the four Irish Naturalists' Field Clubs have for some time felt
the want of closer connection between the Clubs, by which more frequent
meetings might be arranged, and by which the Clubs might assist each
other by the occasional interchange of lecturers, and by the loan of papers,
specimens, lantern slides, &c. At present the Clubs have but a slight
knowledge of each other, and of each others' resources, and such aids
to their work as the above-mentioned can now only be carried out after
much enquiry and correspondence. With a view to facilitate these and
kindred objects, the Secretaries suggest that a joint committee be
formed, consisting of the President and Secretary of each Club, and that
these officers be empowered by the Committee of each Club to repre-
sent them on this joint committee, theit actions being in all cases
subject to the approval of the committee of their Club. The Secretaries
suggest that this organization be called the Irish Field Club Union, and
they feel convinced that such a bond between the Clubs will strengthen
each, and greatly assist the cause of Field Club work in Ireland.
(Signed), Francis Joseph Bigger, Sec B.N.F.C.
R. Iyi,OYD Praeger, Sec. D.N.F.C.
John L. Copeman, Sec. C.N.F.C
FRANCIS NEAI.E, Sec. ly.N.F.C.
Dublitl, 23. II. 94.
A
226 The Irish Naturalist.
The following resolution was thereupon adopted by the Committee of
each Club referred to : —
*• Resolved : That this Committee approve of the suggestions embodied
in the memorandum submitted to them by the Secretaries of the four
Irish Field Clulxs, and they hereby appoint the President and Secretary
to represent them on the Joint Committee."
The Field Club Union Committee, then created, appointed R. Lloyd
Praeger, Secretary Dublin Field Club, as their vSecretary, and during the
ensuing winter (1S94-95) an interchange oflecturers was carried out with
marked success. Mr. Joseph Wright, of Belfast, lectured at Dublin, Cork,
and Limerick; Professor Haddon, of Dublin, lectured at Belfast; and
Professor Cole, of Dublin, lectured at Cork and Limerick.
The excursion which is reported in the pages which follow is the
second definite result of the formation of the Field Club Union, which
is now fairly embarked on a life of practical usefulness and scientific
advancement.
Wejdnesday, July ioTh.
The members of the Belfast Club were the first to take the field. The
northern party, to the number of about fifty, took the T.45 train to
t)ublin, where they were met by the Secretary of the Union, and
despatched to the Gresham and Hammam Hotels. At 7 o'clock they
assembled at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, where they were
teceived by the President and Officers of the Dublin Field Club, and a
numerous company of the members of the local Society. After tea a
couple of pleasant and instructive hours were spent in examining the
many botanical treasures of the Gardens under the guidance of Mr. F,
W. Moore, A.L.S., Curator, and his able assistant, Mr. D. M'Ardle.
Thursday, Jui.y iith.
' Punctually at 9 o'clock the First Class Special Train provided by the Mid-
land Great Western Railway Company steamed out of Broadstone Station
with the members of the Belfast and Dublin Clubs, and representatives of
several English Societies on board, and a very rapid journey across the
Great Central Plain of Ireland was pleasantly spent in studying maps
and scientific papers relating to the districts about to be visited.
Shortly after noon the bogs, woods, and pastures of the Central Plain
gave way to the bare limestone pavements so characteristic of Galway and
Clare, and at 12.30 the train drew up at the platform at Galway. At
I o'clock brakes were mounted, and the party drove through the pretty
suburb of Salthill to Gentian Hill, a promontory of drift standing out
into the sea, where lunch was served. Here the members of the Cork
and Limerick Field Clubs joined their brethren of Dublin and Belfast,
and when lunch was over the party scattered for their first ramble.
From Gentian Hill a good idea of the geography of the district was
obtained. Eastward lay Galway and the level lands of the Limestone
Plain. To the southward, across Galway Bay, rose the great grey
terraced limestone hills of the Burren district of County Clare. To
the westward the Aran Islands could be dimly seen rising out of the
Galway Field Chib Co7iference. 227
waters of the Atlantic, while northward and north-westward rose low
rocky granite hills, backed by the higher metamorphic mountains of
H Connemara. The geologists of the party examined with much interest
the grand sections formed by the stead}- encroachment of the ocean on
the tough drift which composes this and the adjoining promontories. The
botanists were delighted to find at Gentian Hill several rare mountain
plants, which were growing close to sea-level, after the manner
characteristic of the west coast of Ireland — such were the Spring Gentian,
Mountain Dryas, Blue Moor-grass, and Dwarf Juniper ; and on the muddy
shore adjoining a good find was made in the Dwarf Grass- wrack, which
was found growing in abundance. The entomologists searched the
seaweed thrown up by the tide and were rewarded by the discovery of
the local marine rove-beetle Cafiiis fucicola. Besides the small but
handsome M'olf-spider Pardosa monticola, a specimen of its large newly-'
discovered relation F. ptirbeckensis, F. Cb. rewarded the collector of
arachnids.
At 7.30 dinner was ready at the Railway Hotel, which formed the head-
quarters of the party during their stay. After dinner a number of local
ladies and gentlemen arrived by invitation to meet the members of the
Field Clubs. Among those who accepted the invitation were the
President of Queen's College, and Mrs. Moffat ; Sir Valentine Blake and
Lady Blake; the High Sheriff of Galway, Mrs. Townsend, and the Misses
Townsend; Colonel O'Hara, D.L., and Miss O'Hara; Marcus Lynch,
D.L.; Major Wilson Lynch, D.L. ; Professor Kinkead, M.D., Miss Kinkead
and party; Prof. BreretcU; L.R.C.S.I. ; Lt.- Colonel Cochran and Officers,
Depot Connaught Rangers ; Rev. J. C.Clarke, B.A,, Mrs. Clarke, and
Miss Clarke ; Rev. J. T. Berry ; Rev. R. Boyd ; Rev. Father Lally, P.P. ;
Mr. James Perry, M.E., County Surveyor, and Mrs. Perry; Mr. W. N.
Binns, B.E., Borough Surveyor; Mr. and Mrs. Murray, and Miss Murray ;
Mr. and Mrs. Tivy; Mr. J. A. Grant, &c.
During the evening the Galway String Band performed in the hall,
and musical items were contributed by Prof Robertson and Mr. J. A.
Grant. Several members showed specimens of the rarer plants and
animals of the district, and explained their points of interest. The
company did not disperse until a late hour.
t
I
Friday, Jui,y 12TH.
Friday dawned gloriously fine, and the party, which, now reinforced
by local friends, had swelled to over 100, left Galway in high spirits by
special train at 9 o'clock, en route for the mountains of Connemara. Oil
the way to Oughterard the new railway passes through a charmingly
diversified district of wood and lake, with the wide expanse of Lough
Corrib to the eastward. After passing Oughterard, the land rises, and
the railway emerges on the great plain of South Connemara— miles upon
tniles of brown undulating bog, with flashing lakes in every hollow. As
the train sped along, lovely views were continually obtained of the
quartzite mountains of Maam Turk, and subsequently of the still more
picturesque Twelve Bens. At Recess station the members alighted, and
A 2
22S The Irish Natia^alisi.
the party divided into two, one section driving and walking along tli6
Clifden road to ascend Ben Lettery, while the other section examined the
bogs and lakes in the immediate vicinity. The mountain party passed
along the chain of lakelets which extend througliout the course f)f the
Ballynahinch River, and turned up the steep side of Ben I^ettery (1904
feet), which overlooks the beautiful lake of Ballynahinch. F'rom the
summit a truly superb panorama was obtained. Northward, peak beyond
peak, rose the mountains, and through a gap to the north-west was seen
the rugged outline of Achill Island. Further southward lay Inishbofin,
and the whole western coastline of Connemara, and the town of Clifden.
To the southward, across a vast stretch of bog dotted with lakes in-
numerable, stretched the Atlantic, with long arms reaching up to
Roundstone and Cashel, and many outlying islands, behind which
the low ridges of the Aran Islands stood clearl}' up. South-eastward
lay Galway Bay, backed by the grey uplands of Burren, and further
eastward Lough Corrib and the I/imestone Plain. On the summit, the
rare mountain ground-beetle Leislus montamis, and the interesting little
spider Hahnia montana were found. Photographs having been secured and
natural history specimens duly put away, the descent was undertaken,
and Recess station reached in time for a refreshing cup of tea befor'e
train-time. The lowland party had also a most satisfactory day. A
number of rare plants had been collected, including the Pill wort, and iu
common with the mountain party, they had collected many of the
characteristic Connemara species, such as St. Dabeoc's Heath, London
Pride, and Pipewort. The large and handsome wolf-spider Dolomedei
fimbriatus attracted the attention of many observers on the bogs ; while
the entomologists were agreeably surprised to find one of the most
striking British Orthoptera — Muostethus grossus, often considered a rare
species^n positive abundance. Others of the party had visited the
"Connemara Marble" quarry on Lisoughter, behind Recess Hotel, and had
obtained good examples of this beautiful serpentine. It was with much
regret that members found their day at an end, and took their seats in the
special train that was waiting for them.
After dinner, bags, bottles, and vasculums Were emptied on the tables,
and until a late hour members were busily engaged in examining and
jioting the many captures and finds made during the day.
Saturday, Jui.y 13TH.
A morning of driving mist found the naturalists embarked on board the
6s. *' Duras " at 9 o'clock, which in no way lightened as the steamer
passed down the river and set her course for Ballyvaughan, on the
southern side of Galway Bay. However, the cheerful predictions of the
conductors were duly fulfilled, for as the destination was approached the
clouds broke and the sun shone out, lighting up gloriously the strange
bare slopes of the Burren mountains and the great masses of vapour that
still hung over the higher summits. Advantage was taken of the
leisure afforded by the passage to hold a meeting of the collectors
of the party, when the work of identifying and cataloguing the various
captures was distributed among the different naturalists, one
Galway Field Club Conference, 229
man being made responsible for the report on each group ; the result
of this distribution of labour is seen in the scientific reports which follow.
On landing at Ballyvaughan, the party were joined by Mr. P. B,
O'Kelly, a Ballyvaughan botanist, whose local knowledge was freely
placed at the disposal of members, and proved of much service,
Gleninagh, on the sea, three miles north-west of Ballyvaughan, was the
rendezvous, and the party slowly made their way along the road in this
direction, with the sea on the right, and the great limestone hills rising
steeply on the left. This was the field-day of the botanists, for the flora
of the Burren is most peculiar as well as rich. It was not long before
most of the characteristic plants were discovered. The Maidenhair was
found ere Ballyvaughan was a mile behind. On the low grounds Mr.
O'Kelly pointed out the Bee Orchis and the extremely rare Close-flowered
Orchis, now in fruit, for which for many years Castle Taylor in County
Galway was the only known British station. On the limestone hills
above was found abundance of the Mountain Dryas, Bear-berry, Purple
Helleborine, Bloody Cranesbill, Spring Gentian, and other rare plants.
Lunch was served at 2 o'clock under the shadow of the old castle of
Gleninagh, after which scientific occupations —shore-collecting, botaniz-
ing, insect-hunting, and geologizing — were energetically resumed. Some
of the party drove to Black Head, where the Maidenhair was found in
abundance, as well as other rarities. Mr. O'Kelly conducted one or
two of the party to the home of the Shrubby Cinquefoil, which grows
in much abundance not far from Ballyvaughan. Others, who ascended
to the flat summit of Cappanawalla (1023 feet) brought back strange
accounts of the vast stretches of bare grey limestone which extend on
the higher grounds. At 5.30 the steamer's whistle warned stragglers to
linger no longer, and when at length the last late-comer was on board,
the return journey was made without loss of time. After dinner, the
tables were again devoted to an exhibition of the day's spoil. These
evening exhibitions of each day's work were found of much service,
especially in the way of giving the less experienced members an oppor-
tunity of examining specimens at their leisure, of asking questions,
and of watching demonstrations of identification and mounting of
specimens. It was found that a beetle, Miaris campanula, new to the
Irish list, and the local moths, Anticlea cticullata and Phothcdes captiuncula, as
well as the striking black spider, Prosthesima Petiverii, had rewarded the
labours of the insect-hunters on this day, "
Sunday, Jui,y 14TH.
On this day, according to the Programme, members were to " make
their own arrangements." A party of archaeologists and conchologists
made an early start for Clare-Galway Abbey, and spent a profitable day
in that vicinity. The majority of the party attended service at the
beautiful old Church of Saint Nicholas. After lunch two pleasant
receptions awaited the members. The President of Queen's College
received a numerous party at the College, and conducted them through
the buildings and gardens, and entertained them to tea in his own house ;
while another large section of the members rowed up the River Corrib
2SO The Irish Naturalist,
in the well-appointed boats of the Royal Galway Boat Club (most
kindly placed at their disposal by the Committee) to enjoy the hospitality
of Sir Valentine and Lady Blake at Menlo Castle. Along the banks of
the river some good insects, including a rove-beetle, Stenus melanopus, new
to Ireland, and plants were collected, and at Menlo the rare sedge Carex
pseiido'cypertis was obtained. ,The quaint old house, said to be the oldest
inhabited house in Ireland, excited great interest, and the generous
hospitality of the host and hostess completed the pleasure of the visit.
At 6 o'clock dinner was served, and in view of the early start next
morning, most members wisely retired at an early hour.
Monday, Jui^y i6'rH.
Punctually at 5.30 a.m., the Secretary's shrill whistle called members
down for an early cup of tea. A prompt response ,was made, and at 6
o'clock sharp the ss. " Duras" cast off her moorings with the whole
party on board, excepting a few who did not care to face the thirty-five-
mile sail across the troubled waters of Galway Bay. Once again the
Field Clubs were favoured with a fine day, in a district well-known as
one of the wettest in Ireland. At 8 o'clock Miss Gardiner had breakfast
prepared with the despatch and neatness that characterized her some-
what arduous duties throughout the excursion, and when this important
function was completed, the Aran Islands were alread}' close at hand,
and the bare grey fields, the whitewashed cottages, and innumerable
stone walls furnished a quaint and characteristic scene. A heaving tide-
run off the shore of Aranmore proved disastrous to some of the
naturalists, but they speedily recovered as the steamer dropped anchor at
Portmurvy, and was immediately surrounded with a crowd of stalwart
islanders in their strange canvas curraghs. The disembarkation was
promptly effected in the ship's boats, while some preferred the novel
experience of the curragh. The vSecretary now announced alternative
routes, those who were prepared for a long walk to go west to Dun
Aengus and thence to Kilronan, while those who wished less exertion
would proceed to Kilronan by a more direct route. The members who
visited Dun Aengus — the larger portion of the party— were amply repaid
for their exertion. This splendid example of pre-historic architecture —
the finest structure of its kind in Europe — perched on the edge of an
; overhanging cliff, 300 feet in height, was examined with the keenest
' interest and wonder. Floating on the Atlantic swell far below, a keen-
eyed member descried a fine specimen of the Great Sun-fish, which con-
siderately remained in full view for a length of time. On the vegetation
here and elsewhere many observers noted the great abundance of the
handsome rose-beetle (Cf/^wm a«ra/a). The presence of this species — so
rare on the Irish mainland — was a great surprise to the entomologists.
A small flower-beetle {Meligethes rufipcs) new to Ireland, was found, as well
as a minute spider (^Micariosomia fesiivwn), also apparently new to the
Irish list. A striking feature was the great abundance of the springtail
Machilis polypoda, which occurred in multitudes under every stone. The
party made their way along the edge of the cliff, which was fringed with
TEAMPUL BENAX, ARAN:M0RE. [F. 'A. Dixon, Photo.
AX ARAX FTRTJ).
/•" A. Dixon. Photo.
Gahi'ay Field Club Confereyice. 231
Sampliire and Sea Lavender, to where an islander sat fishing. By his
side was a basket well filled with fine Bream. He sat on the overhang'
ing edge of the cliff, his feet dangling over the abyss, and his line descend-
ing vertically into the ocean some 200 feet below. Fishing of this kind
is carried on along the whole western side of the island. The " Worm
Hole " was next visited, a large square natural tank in the rock at some
distance from the sea, with which it is connected by a large underground
passage, as shown by the prompt response of its waters to the ocean
swell outside. Near the hamlet of Gortnacopple the Maidenhair was
seen in very great abundance and luxuriance, growing as usual in the
vertical fissures of the limestone ; it is abundantly distributed through-
out the island. Another well-known plant of Aran that was seen here
abundantly was the large leek, AU'min Babingtonii. The main road being
reached, the party followed the first section to Kilronan, visiting on the
way some of the best of the many antiquities of Aran, including the
ancient church of St. Kieran, and the adjoining holed stone and early
crosses, and viewing with interest the curious wayside monuments. The
geologists of the party were much interested in the extensive exposures
of bare jointed limestone, and its curious weathering, and in the
numerous erratics from Connemara scattered over its surface, while the
entomologists literally " left no stone unturned" in their search for
rarities.
On the beach at Kilronan, INIiss Gardiner had a sumptuous tea pre-
pared, to which the members did ample justice"; after which, undeterred
by frequent showers which now began to fall, a numerous party started
southward to visit the primitive church of St. Eany with its many accom-
pan5nng antiquities, Teampul Benan, &c., and to attempt further dis-
coveries among the fauna and flora. The botanists were well pleased to
find, at the last moment, that very rare Irish grass, the Wood Rush, in
one of the two Aran stations given by Mr. H. C. Hart in his paper on
the botany of the islands; and in the fading light a hasty return was
made to the steamer, which left at 8 o'clock punctually, and the hotel
in Galway was once more reached at ii.o.
During this day's excursion, which was in every way successful, the
members derived much local information and assistance from the parish
priest. Rev. P. Colgan, and his curate, and from Mr. P. 0'P\ Johnson, the
local magistrate, all of whom did their best to assist the party in every way.
TUBISDAY, JUIvY 16TH.
At 9 o'clock a special train conveyed the members and local friends
to Oughterard, where Mr. Dominick Burke had brakes and cars in
readiness, and an immediate start was made northward along the shores
of Lough Corrib, a party of geologists remaining behind for an hour
to examine the sections exposed in adjacent new railway cuttings
under the guidance of Mr. R. J. Kirwan, B.E. The route lay through
hilly ground, with alternating patches of bog, wood, and cultivation.
Eastward stretched the vast lake of Corrib, diversified with islands
great and small ; westward rose theMaam Turk mountains, still clothed
22,2 The h'ish Naturalist,
in dark vapour, and sending an occasional splash of rain over the
plain below. Presently the ground grew rougher, till it blazed with
purple heather, among which hung abundantly the large bells of St.
Dabeoc's Heath. Passing through a pine wood the vehicles halted
beside a mountain stream, whose banks were fringed with Royal Fern
growing six feet high. This was the rendezvous for the day. To the
left the lake narrowed among steep wooded hills, and a glorious valley
stretched away for miles, overhung by high mountains on each side.
Behind rose the purple slopes of Carn Seefin, and in front lay the
shining waters of the lake. It was an ideal spot for naturalists, and in
a few minutes the party was scattered far and wide in eager search.
The botanists rejoiced to find here the characteristic flora of Conne-
jnara— London Pride, Pipe-wort, Lobelia, St. Dabeoc's Heath, &;c. The
rare Bog Orchis was found sparingly. The geologists found congenial
ground in the spoil-bank of an old copper mine on the hill-side. A new
Irish beetle, Chilocuis bipustulatus, and the rare northern ground-beetles
Pelophila borealis and Caralms daihratus delighted the entomologists ; while
under the stones on the margin of the lake were found numerous
examples of a rare southern jumping spider, Attus floricola.
Lunch occasioned but a short lull in the business of exploration,
which was continued energetically until the repeated blasts of the
Secretary's whistle recalled the wanderers, and the return was effected
in time to catch the special train at 6 o'clock for Galway.
After dinner a formal Conference on Field Club work was held. The
chair was occupied by G. H. Carpenter, B.Sc, President, Dublin
Naturalists' Field Club.
The Chairman said that the duty of taking the chair that evening
devolved on him since the President of the senior Club (Belfast) was not
present. He referred to the origin of the Field Club Union, an outcome
of the formation of which they saw in the present successful excursion,
and pointed out the great desirability and usefulness of such an organiza.
lion, and the good work which during its short existence it had already
accomplished. This evening representatives of all the Irish Field Clubs
and of several similar English Societies met together in friendly con-
ference, and he called for remarks and suggestions on matters relating
to Field Club interests.
Wm. Gray, M.R.I. A., as an old member and ex-President of the
Belfast Club, referred to the benefits resulting from an interchange of
ideas in the field, as was accomplished on an expedition such as this.
He congratulated the Clubs on the number of lady members present, and
on the presence of representatives of science from England. The forma-
tion of the Irish Field Club Union was already justified by its results.
Prof. T. Johnson, D.Sc, Treasurer, Dublin Naturalists' Field Club,
said that at a meeting of this kind the members reaped benefits of the
same nature as accrued to the meetings of the British Association. They
learned that there was a brotherhood in science, and that assistance and
encouragement were ready on every hand. He thought that if possible
a meeting of this kind should be arranged annually.
r
Galway Field Cliih Conference, 233
J. J. WoivFE, as representing the Cork Naturalists' Field Club, re-
gretted that so few members of his Society had been able to avail them-
selves of the Galway excursion ; he thought the Cork Club was already
deriving substantial benefit from the formation of the Union,
Francis Neale, Secretary, Limerick Naturalists' Field Club, also
referred to the advantages which the smaller Clubs were reaping from
the operations of the Union. He hoped that on the next Galway excur-
sion they would assemble on the invitation of a future Galway Field
Club. He recommended the consideration of some more systematic
means of recording scientific " finds" made by Field Club members.
H. E. Brothers, member of Committee North Staffordshire Naturalists'
Field Club, desired to thank the Irish Clubs on behalf of his members
for their invitation to join in the present excursion. He was glad that a
number of the members of his Club had availed themselves of the
invitation, and thought that they would carry home with them many
useful hints from this meeting of the Irish Clubs. He also spoke of
the duty that rested with Field Clubs everywhere to check by every
means in their power the unnecessary destruction of animal and
vegetable life.
R. Standen, Curator of the Conchological Society of Great Britain and
Ireland, mentioned some of the more interesting points noted on the
excursion in connection with his own particular group — the land and
fresh- water mollusca.
Prof. J. W. Carr, M.A., F.L.S., President, Nottingham Naturalists'
Society, expressed his warm congratulations on the success of this first
general meeting of the Irish Field Clubs, and on the zeal and energy dis-
played by the members in scientific research. He doubted if such an
active week's field work could have been organized and carried out by
any English Scientific Society. After speaking of the aims of Natural
History Societies, Professor Carr expressed the hope that the ultimate
result of such combined effort would be the production of a series of
monographs on Irish Natural history.
WiiviviAM Gray interposed to give his hearty support to the remarks
of Mr. Brothers in regard to the destruction of animals and plants. The
Field Clubs could do good work by discountenancing the sale of fern
roots, &c,, and the wearing of birds' feathers.
Professor G. F. Fitzgerai^d, D.Sc, F.R.S. (Dublin University),
wished to know if a resolution recommending botany as a subject of
study for boys under the Intermediate Education Scheme would be in
order at the present meeting.
The Chairman said that such a resolution would certainly be in order ;
zoology also might well be included in the resolution.
Professor Johnson stated that he would with pleasure support any
such resolution.
Mann Harbison (Belfast) suggested that the subject of geology
should be included in the motion.
While Professor Fitzgerald was preparing his resolution
234 The Irish Naturalist
Hon. R. B. Dili^on (Galway) referred to the local interest which the
visit of the Field Clubs to Galway had excited, and which he trusted
would have a lasting effect in the way of stimulating scientific research
in that part of the country. On behalf of those of the party who were
not members of any of the Clubs, but were there as visitors, he wished
to express the great pleasure and interest which they had derived from
the excursion.
Prof. FiTZGERAI^D then moved:— That the United Naturalists*
Field Clubs of Ireland press upon the Board of Intermediate Education
in Ireland the importance to education and to the country of introducing
Natural Science as a subject to be encouraged in Intermediate Schools
in Ireland.
Prof. B. J. M'Weenfy, M.D., (Dublin), had pleasure in seconding
the resolution, and referred to the advantages which the teaching of
natural science would give. Before sitting down, he referred to the very
great kindness shown to the party during their visit by many inhabitants
of Galwa}^ Bspecially were the thanks of the party due to the Presi-
dent of Queen's College, to Sir Valentine Blake, to Captain Henley, to Mr.
P. O'F. Johnston, J.P., to the Hon. R. B. Dillon, to Mr. R.J. Kirwan, B.E.,
to the Committee of the Royal Galway Boat Club, and to the officials of
the Midland Great Western Railway, and of the Galway Bay Steamboat
Company. He would like to move a vote of thanks to these gentle-
men.
The Chairman put Professor Fitzgerald's resolution to the meeting,
and it was passed unanimously.
Adam SpeerS, B.Sc, (Belfast), seconded the vote of thanks to those
who had so cordially assisted the success of the excursion. Referring
for a moment to the resolution which had just been passed, he wished
as the head of an Intermediate School, to express his gratification that
such a resolution had met with the unanimous favour of this meeting
of practical scientists.
Hon. R. B. Diiyi^ON responded on behalf of those named in Dr.
M'Weeney's resolution. He assured the members that the visit of the
Field Clubs had been a most welcome event in Galway.
F. J. Bigger, M.R.I.A., Secretary, Belfast Naturalists' Field Club,
wished to express the deep obligation of the members to Miss Gardiner,
of Leinster-street, Dublin, for the remarkably prompt and able manner
in which she had managed the catering on the daily expeditions— a very
important matter on these long and fatiguing excursions (hear, hear).
Speaking of the Field Club Union, he predicted how its increasing
strength would more and more bind the Clubs together, so that at length
they would have in Ireland one Field Club, with a common membership
for all, and one official mouth-piece — the Irish Nahiralist.
Prof. Johnson remarked that the conference would not be complete
without some remarks from the organizer of the excursion.
R. Li^OYD Praeger, B.E., Secretary Field Club Union and Dublin
Naturalists' Field Club, in reply said he had only to repeat the thanks that
he had expressed that evening after dinner for the unfailing promptness
Galway Field Club ConfereJice. 235
with which members had carried out the requests of the conductor
throughout the excursion, and the great assistance they had given. The
unqualified success of this, the most elaborate Field Club excursion ever
carried out in Ireland, was in itself the best thanks that the organizer
could have.
• The Chairman reminded members that specialists had been appointed
to prepare reports on each group of the fauna and flora, and requested
that all notes and specimens should be shown to them. Having refer-
red to the advisability of having Irish finds recorded in Ireland, and
drawn attention to the wonderful mixture of characteristic northern
and southern forms of life which the naturalists had observed in this
western district, he declared the conference concluded.
WKDNESDAY, JUI.Y 17TH, &c.
On this morning the party broke up. While the majority of members
left for home, others proceeded to extend the investigations commenced
on the excursion. R. Standen, E. Collier and R. Welch spent two days
in collecting recent and subfossil shells and foraminifera at Roundstone.
Miss Knowles botanized at Oughterard. J. A. Audley and R. Lloyd
Praeger had a day at Roundstone, where they collected Erica Mackaii and
Naias flexilis in their recorded stations ; the latter then sailed to Aran-
more, where three days were spent in botanizing with the assistance of
Prof. Fitzgerald, the return being made in his company, via Lisdoon-
varna and Ballyvaughan. The work done on these further days being a
direct continuation of that accomplished on the excursion, the results
obtained are embodied in the reports which follow.
II.— GEOLOGY.
BY MISS SYDNEY M. THOMPSON.
The magnificent scenery of the district comprised between Galway Bay,
the Atlantic, and Lough Corrib demonstrates what metamorphism can
do in the way of earth -building. The grand quartzite group of the
Twelve Bens, with their bare scarred peaks rising abruptly from the vast
flat plain that stretches westward to the Atlantic, display earth-folding
on a magnificent scale. The age of these quartzites and the schists that
occur with them is somewhat obscure ; the latter were at one time
supposed to be metamorphosed sedimentary rocks, but modern investiga-
tions have changed these opinions, and they are now considered to be
altered igneous rocks. ^ A very interesting section through these schists
was visited on the railway near Oughterard under the guidance of Mr.
Kirwan, whose able paper in the Irish Naturalist- shows an ilhistration
^vSee Report of the Director-General of the Geol. Survey, 40M Report
Dept. of Science and Art (1893), p. 266, and 41J/ Report (1S94), p. 270.
'June, 1895, vol. iv., p. 151.
236 The hish NaUiralist,
of this section, in which quartzites, hornblende schists, and intrusive
granites occurring in veins, dykes, and in mass are seen, with
Carboniferous limestone which has been subsequently laid down, and
which is undisturbed. This cutting is quite near to the station, and
forms an interesting and instructive diagram of faults, contortions, and
intrusions. Many specimens were obtained, including some of quartzite
and white quartz with beautiful cross-veins of red intrusive granite.
Some concretions of calcite, prettily stained with orange and black, were
found amongst the fragments on the line. On the day when Ben
Lettery was ascended, very fine crystals of quartz were obtained from
crevices on the summit of Ben Gower, and from weathered blocks.
Some lead and copper mines near Carn Seefin, above the north-
western shores of Lough Corrib, were subsequently visited. Although
not worked at present, some samples were obtained from the '* tip."
One block contained galena, copper pyrites, iron pyrites, calcite, felspar,
and quartz as concretions in the hornblende schists in which the mineral
lodes occur. Pure massive epidote and fluorspar were also obtained,
and specimens of an intrusive rock in this neighbourhood almost
entirely formed of sheared pinkish-brown garnets were obtained with
difficulty, owing to its extreme hardness.
The celebrated Connemara " marble" at Recess is now being worked
in only one quarry by about a dozen men, employed by an American,
who is at present executing an order for twenty pillars, each to consist
of five blocks measuring about four feet by three in diameter. To gauge
the quality of the stone a long section has been made in the side of the
quarry by a wire saw. This section well displays the contorted green
bands with grey layers at either side. The so-called "marble" is a
serpentine formed by the alteration of olivine introduced in the crystalline
bands of primitive limestone by igneous action. Similar results occur
in limestones around Mount Vesuvius. These serpentine bands do not
average more than two feet in thickness, and have been much sheared
and contorted, showing the " eozoonal " structure. This was formerly
believed to be a gigantic foraminifer when discovered in the Laurentian
rocks of Canada, and named Eozoon Canadense, biit its organic nature is
now practically disproved by the recent discovery of a similar substance
in limestone blocks ejected from Vesuvius.^
But few fossils were obtained from the Carboniferous limestone so fully
developed in the district, the rock being so hard as to preclude the ex-
traction of its organic remains in the limited time available for the
geologists on a mixed excursion. The usual characteristic fossils were
observed in abundance, and some specimens obtained in Ballj^vaughan
from the Burren Limestone, and in the Aran Islands. The shale-beds in
Aran would probably repay a fuller examination than was possible on the
excursion. Blow holes and the *' Worm Hole," a curious natural tank
are amongst the curiosities of the Aran limestones.
* Johnston-Lavis and Gregory — "Eozoonal Structure of the ejected
Blocks of Monte Somma." Scu Trans, R,D,S. (2) vol. v., 1894.
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Gatway Excursion. — Geology. 237
^he marble quarries at Menlough were also visited, where an excellent
jet-black marble is obtained, ornamented with white s^zWows oi Producttis
and corals. It seems a pity that this marble and the serpentine are not
more fully worked, as facilities for transport are all that can be desired.
On the shores of the lake near Clare-Galway Abbey the limestone is
curiously bored by holes, varying from half to one-and-a-half inches in
diameter, and sometimes extending downwards for six or eight inches. '
Their origin is as yet uncertain, the alternative suggestions being either
the action of carbonic acid from vegetation, etc., or the burrowing of
land snails or of marine animals such as Pholas. Travellers on the line
to Clifden will see, on the right hand side, soon after leaving Galway,
some of the curious " mushroom" rocks, produced by softer inferior layers
weathering away more rapidly than harder superior layers.
The glacial geology of the district is very interesting, the hard, white
quartzite of the Bens being splendidly glaciated ; and capital ice-worn
surfaces were seen close to Recess station, and also on the way to Ben
Lettery, the rock being finely smoothed and polished, with deep ice-
groovings. The drift sections at Gentian Hill yielded many erratics.
The grey clay is excessively hard and compact, forming a cliff a quarter
of a mile long and about thirty feet high, with large and small erratics
projecting from the surface, the retentiveness of the matrix being evi*
denced by the great masses that stand out in all directions ; similar sec-
tions occur on islands and on the coast about this locality. Many
boulders are of black Carboniferous limestone with bands of white Pro-
ductus about three inches deep, the whole surface being exquisitely
polished and striated, others are Connemara granites, including the
typical Galway variety, remarkable for the scarcity of mica, and the
handsome crystals of pink orthoclase felspar, recalling the famous Shap
granite ; specimens of serpentine also occur as erratics.
On the Aran Islands, in Galway Bay, many of these rocks occur as
erratics. Also there are found specimens of a fine-grained red quartzite
said not to occur now anywhere in situ. It would be impossible to con-
clude without a reference to the remarkable cliflf-scenery of these
islands, where the slightly-dipping limestones have been undercut by the
sea into mighty shelves, over which the Atlantic waves play ceaselessly,
whilst upper terraces are tenanted by myriads of sea-birds, and the top
of the cliffs between 50 and 100 feet above the sea are swept bare at the
edges, huge piles of stones forming a rampart many yards inland, de-
monstrating what the force of the surges must be, when their spray can
do such mighty work. Here and there, in the face of these grand cliffs,
a bed of shale gives rise to a water-spring, falling in delicate veils of
spray into the ocean, an exquisite rainbow perpetually spanning the
abyss. The causes that result in such beautiful effects are full of geo-
logical interest, and the whole excursion was replete with such oppor«
tunitiee for the geologists o| the party.
238 The Irish Naturalist.
III. — BOTANY.
FUNGI.
BY E. J. M'WKENEV, M.A., M.D.
// YMENOM YCE TES.
This Order, which comprises the most highly organized and largest
Fungi was but sparsely represented, owing no doubt partly to the dry-
ness of the early summer season, but chiefly to the fact that a great deal
of the ground traversed — stony and boggy, mountainous and maritime
regions— is 'of a character notoriously unfavourable to the growth of
agarics and their allies. Besides, their season of fructification had as
yet hardly commenced. In the patches of wood (chiefly fir) by the lake
sides at Recess on the 12th Jul}', and Lough Corrib on the i6th, the
ordinary species oi Bolettts generally met with in such places, were taken
together with a few of the manure-frequenting agarics belonging to the
genera Panaohis, Stropharia and Coprinus. We also found a very fine
Mycena filopes, and one Marasmius androsaceus, an uncommon species in
my experience. The heaths at Recess yielded a large mouse-coloured
pink-spored Agaric [Entoloma helodcs, Fr.), in abundance, and large forms
of Galera hypnoriim and its var. Sphagnorinn^ were met with in the swamps
at Lough Corrib. The only form at all peculiar or unusual was a
pale-yellow-capped white-gilled Canthardlus {albidtis) which we came
across in some abundance on the heath-covered slopes at Recess and
also near Lough Corrib. No agaric save the Common Mushroom
seems to have been collected on Aran.
Agraricus (lYIyccna) fi lopes, Bull. — Wood at Lough Corrib.
A. (WI.) stylotoatcs, Pers. — Lake-side near Recess.
A. (Entoloma) helodes, Fr. — Abundant on heaths, Recess, &c,
A. (Calera) hypnorum, Batsch. — Frequent in the bogs. Recess, &c.
var. Sphagnorum, Fr. — Swamps by Lough Corrib.
A. (Psalllota) campestrls Linn, (the Common Mushroom). —
Frequent in nearly every suitable locality, including Aran .
A. (Stropharia) semigloli^atusy Batsch— Lough Corrib and
Recess, frequent.
Anellarla flmlputrls, Karsten— Lough Corrib.
PanOBOlus phalaenarum, Fr.— Lough Corrib.
Coprinus cphcmcrus, Fr.— Lough Corrib.
Cantharellus albldus, Fr.— On heaths at Recess and L. Corrib.
Marasmius androsaceus, Fr.— Lough Corrib.
Boletus luteus, Linn.— Lough Corrib.
B. flavus, With.— Lough Corrib.
B. larlclnus, Berk.— Recess Wood, and Lough Corrib.
Fomes varlegatus, Seer.— Burren.
TremcHa mesenteflca, Retz.— Lough Corrib.
Galway Exairsion — Fungi. 239
DISCOMYCETES.
The Only Peziza of any size— a fawn coloured species (probably P.plairota,
Phil.), collected by Mr. M'Ardle, and placed in a tube — was unfortunately
lost, together with the tube and its remaining contents, which comprised
a Saprolegnia or Achlya sp. on a dead fl}', and Dr. FitzGerald's specimen of
Claviceps on grass. Another specimen which I took on a superficial
inspection to be a discomycete parasitic on some frondose hepatic proved
to be a Lichen, Solorina saccaia, L., stated to be rather rare, but already
recorded from Brandon in Kerry, and Ben Bulben in Sligo by Mr.
J. T. Mackay, and from Cushendall, Co. Antrim, by Dr. Moore. I had
confined my examination to the apothecia, and had therefore become
acquainted only with the fungal element in the compound organism
of the Lichen. Each ascus contains four uniseptate brown .spores. Struck
by these peculiarities, I thought I should have no difficulty in
identifying the specimen ; but here I was disappointed, and not being
able to find a place for it, I sent it to Mr. Phillips of Shrewsbury, the
well-known authority on Discomycetes, and to his kindness I am indebted
for the establishment of the true nature of this specimen. Moral —
always examine the substratum / The poverty of this region in Discomy-
cetes is very remarkable.
Lachnea stercorea, Gill. > ^ -, t 1. rv -i,
' L On cowdung, Lough Comb.
Humaria g^ranulata, Sacc. y
Dasyscypha virglnea, Fekl.— Frequent, Recess, Lough Corrib, &.C.
Phialea virgultorum, Sacc— Recess, lake-side.
IVIoIlisla clnerea, Karst. — Lough Corrib.
WI. melaleuca, Sacc. — Lough Corrib.
SPHyER/ACEL
The most important species found was Claviceps purpurea (Ergot), taken
at Burren by Dr. FitzGerald on some grass not now certainly recogniz-
able, Only a few fruits were ergotized.
Claviceps purpurea, Fr. — 0\\ grass, Burren (Prof. FitzGerald).
Eplchloe typhina, Pers.— On Dadylis glomerata. Gentian Hill wood.
Polystigma ruttrum, Pers.— Burren, on Black-thorn.
Cladosporluin herbarum, L. R.— (The conidial stage of some
Pyrenomycete) on Quaking-grass, Aran, Prof FitzGerald.
Hypocopra flmlcola (Rob.), Sacc— On rabbit-dung, Lough Corrib.
UREDWEI k^n USTILAGINEL
When industriously sought for, members of the first-named class are
fairly abundant in the region examined* The only smut we found was
Ustilago scgetum on oats, Aran (Dr. FitzGerald). I was much struck with
the slight degree of development attained by these parasitic forms on
^40 ^^ic hish Naturalist,
that island. Piiccinia pnlvcrtilciita, Grev., formed a striking exception. It
grew most luxuriantly on a patch of Willow-herb near Mr. Johnson's
house at Kilmurvy, the entire under-surface of some of the leaves being
covered with the cluster-cups, whilst large confluent sori of teleuto-
spores occurred on neighbouring plants. This partial separation of the
two stages— dioecisra — is worthy of note. The commonest wild
Umbellifer, Angelica sylvesiris, was infested with a rust, P. ptmpinel/cr, Sirsiuss,
whilst the only specimen I saw of the local Phnpinella magna was covered
with the Urcdo-s^o\.^ of a somewhat larger-spored rust which may
possibly prove distinct. The only other species worthy of remark
are the Phragmidium on the Lesser Burnet, and the rust on clover, both
found on Aran, and neither frequent, so far as my experience goes, on the
east side of Ireland.
Pucclnla prlmulae, DC— Wood near base of Gentian Hill.
P. centaurese, Mart.— Gentian Hill.
P. vlolae, Schum.— Gentian Hill. ^ ;'
P. pulvcrulcnta, Grev.— On ^//^^/w;« /5i>j«/«w, Aran« > '"^
P. variabilis, Grev.— Gentian Hill.
P. taraxacl, Plow.— Gentian Hill.
P. hleracil, Schum. — Uredo on Cardtms lanceolattiSy Aran.
P. pimpinellsef Strauss.— On Angelica sylvestris and Pimpinelta ma^na,
Aran.
Uromyces anthyllidis, Grev. — On A.vulneraria^ Aran.
U. trifoliiy Alb. and Schw — On T. pratense, Aran.
Triphragmium ulmariae, Schum. — Uredo only, near Gentian Hill.
Phragmlciium frag^ariastri, DC. — Aran.
P. sangulsorbae, DC, — On Poteriiim Sanguisorba, Aran.
P, Vlolaceuirif Schultz. — On Rubusfmticosus, Aran and elsewhere.
P. subcortlcatutrif Schrank. — On Rosa spinosissima, Aran and else-
where.
lYIelampsora Ilnl, Pers.— Abundant on Aran and elsewhere.
M. f ar I nosa, Pers,— Heaths near Recess. !^
WI. hyper Icorum, DC— On Tutsan at L. Corrib. ,y'
Coleosporlum seneclonis, Pers.— Aran. Prof. FitzGerald.
C» cu phrasias, Schum.— Aran and elsewhere, on Rhinanthiis,
Ustllago segetum. Bull.— Aran, Prof. FitzGerald.
Urocystis Vloiae, Sow.— Near Gentian Hill.
In conclusion I have to express my deep sense of obligation to Prof. G.
1^. FitzGerald, F.R.S., to whose quick observation and skill in collecting
I owe many of the most interesting fungal specimens taken during this
enjoyable excursion.
Sttl
[ 241 1
BY PROF. T. JOHNSON, D.SC, AND MISS HENSMAN.
The Galway excursion afforded several excellent opportunities for sliore-
coUecting. It is to be regretted that so few took advantage of tliem.
I would suggest that, on our next Field Club Union excursion members,
on joining the meeting, be invited to act as collectors in some special
group of plants or animals. On the first day, during the preparation of
lunch on Gentian Hill, one of us searched the somewhat muddy shore on
the western side of the hill, gathered a number of shells attacked by
the perforating algse, and found Zostera nana, which is referred to else-
where. Sea- weeds were collected at Gleninagh, Co. Clare, the low rocky
shore affording some good rock-pools, the coralline Lithothamnioti
polyfnorphuvi lining some of them. Here was found the common green
Codiion tomentosiim infested by the brown alga Strcblonema simplex, hitherto
only once recorded for Ireland, by one of us; another species, S.
fasciadatum, growing on Mesogla:a vermiailata, is new to Ireland. Sporochmis
pedunculatus was found washed ashore. It would be out of place to give
here a full list of the species noticed or gathered. It maybe of interest to
state that Holmes and Batters make a preliminary attempt to indicate the
distribution of sea- weeds in their " Revised L^ist of the British Marine
Algse" (^Annals of Botany, vol. v., 1890). For this purpose the coast of
the United Kingdom is divided into fourteen districts, in which Ireland
is represented by districts 10-14, Galway Bay being included in district
II (Slyue Head to Crow Head). It would be comparatively easy for us
to make out a list of species found, not recorded in the above-mentioned
list for district ir. Such a proceeding would be out of place, as there
are many species, in collections made by earlier workers, known to us,
not recorded. The following are some of the interesting finds : —
Delesserla, all (6) species except D. angustissima.
Phyllophora rubens, infested with Acthiococcus.
Champla parvula, with cystocarps.
Ceramlum tenulsslmum.
Rhodophyllis bifida, with cystocarps.
Dudresnaia cocclnea, with antherrdia, procarps and cystocarps.
This beautiful and rare red alga is one in which one act of fertilisation
results in the formation of a number of cystocarp fruits.
Coralllna rubens.
Ca squamata.
Choreonema Thurctf.
Melobesla cortlclformls.
Ascocyclus orbicularis, on Zostcm, new to Ireland.
Castagnea zosterse.
Species of Cystosclra, Ctadostephus, Ectocarpus, Urospora,
Monostroma, Euteromorpha, Cladophora.
Hyella cdespltosa,
B
242 The Irish Naturalist,
IVIastlgrocoIeus testarum.
Picctonema terebrans.
Comontia polyrhiza.
Conchocells rosea, new to West of Ireland.
V Tellamia?
Aranmore.— Low water was caught at Killeany Bay (Kilroiiau) on the
east side of the Island, and in addition some scraps of sea- weeds were
gathered on the west side, a little east of the fort Dun Aengus. Ordinary
shore-collecting is almost impossible on the west side, owing to the
precipitous cliffs, and ocean swell, even on a comparatively cahn day.
Several interesting weeds were obtained on the west side, indicative of a
rich harvest after a westerly gale or by dredging. Killeany Bay proved a
splendid locality for the perforating algje (all the species recorded in Miss
Hensman's recent paper in the Irish Naturalist being found here), and
iox \.\).^ Sqtiamariacccv, a group of red sea- weeds, coating stones, &c., and
of which Pdrocelis and Pcyssonndia are examples. This group is at its
best in the winter. In the quiet pools, with the abundant disintegrat-
ing mollusc shells, and the stone-coating Squamariaccic:, were found
quantities of Stilophora rhizodcs, and several species of Cystoscira, including
the iridescent C. ericoides infested with Myriadis ptilvinata. The meeting of
the southern and northern types, noticed in the fauna of the district was
illustrated in several ways ; thus Plumarici degans, a southern form, and
Ptilota plumosa, a northern closely allied form, were both found; Pycno-
phycus tubcrcidatus, a brown alga which is erroneously supposed to reach
its northern limits in Galway Bay, was also found.
Of the less-known forms may be mentioned —
Conimophyllum BulftiamI on Nitophyllum laceratu7n\ new to
Ireland.
Dermocarpa prasfna ] Latter new to, and former not recorded
D. Schousbdet > for Ireland.
Growing on a rock exposed at half-tide was a form of Codium^ not un-
like the Codium amphibiwn of Harvey's " Phycologia Britanuica." Some
time must elapse before all the material collected has been examined,
many of the rarest weeds being microscopic and time-absorbing in their
determination. Our thanks are due to Miss Sydney Thompson of
Belfast for a collection of attacked shells, to Miss Kelsall for some
Kilronan weeds, and to Mr. R. J. Mitchell, whose health has prevented
him from taking part in the determination of the weeds he helped to
collect.
[ 243 ]
MOSSES AND I.IVKRWORTS.
BY D. m'ardl:^.
x7
The appended lists of these plants which were collected by me on the
Galway excursion are provisional only. It will be observed that the list
of mosses is very short, 17 species only, excluding a few species not yet
determined. The entire district we visited in Aran was very scanty in
moss vegetation ; even the commonest rock moss, Ptychomittium, which
clothes such formations in almost every county in Ireland, was not met
with, and very few grow on or amongst the bare rocks. The summit of
the mountain from Cappanawalla to Ballyvaughan, where I went in search
of rare flowering plants, produced very few mosses; it is one vast *• stone
field " as far as the eye can reach. We met with no mountain stream ;
on the banks and rotting timber in such places mosses luxuriate in the
shade, heat, and moisture. On the lower slopes of the Burren, as at
Ballyvaughan, and on Carn Seefin a good representative list of mosses
could be made would time permit.
The total number of liverworts collected is forty-seven. Of these
twenty-three are not reported from the counties we visited in Dr. D.
IMoore's work on the Irish Hepaticae, and two are additional species to
the list in that important publication. Out of fourteen species ot
Lejeunea known to grow in Ireland I collected eight ; four of these are
additions to the Galway list. The rare Lejeunea Mackaii occurs sparingly
on the north island of Aran on damp rocks. It is remarkable amongst
Lejeunea in having large undivided obcordate folioles or stipules by which
it is easily known from all others. It is the Irish representative of four
species included by Dr. Spruce in the genus Homalo- Lejeunea, natives of
the Peruvian Andes and Brazil. Scapania aspera, Mull., was first detected
by me in the Co. Cavan in 1893, and now it has turned up in both Clare
and Galway ; it may lurk in herbaria under the name of Scapania
neviorosa ; its place is between that species and S, aqtiiloba ; possibly it
belongs to the latter.
Plagiochila interrupta I have not found before. I am not aware that it
has been published as Irish, and may have been overlooked for Saccogyna
or Chiloscyphus, which it resembles ; the plants collected by me are
identical with those gathered by Dr. Carrington in Bolton Woods, York-
shire, specimens of which are included in the excellent Fasc. Hepatic^t
No, 86, of Carrington and Pearson, kindly placed at my disposal by Mr.
F. W. Moore, A.L.S.
MUSCI.
Campylopus sctlfollus, Wils.— Carn Seefin.
Tortula tortuosa, Hedwig.—Kilronan.
Tortula rural is, Linn.— Rocks, Kilronan.
Tortula fallax, Hedwig.— Aran.
Tortula murallSt Timm.— Aran, Gentian Hill.
Orthotrlchum afflne* Schrad.^ Ballyvaughan.
244 The Irish Naturalist
Enthostodon TempletonI, Schwaegr— Side of a stream, Carn
Seefin.
SplachnuiYi ampullaceum, Liiiu. — Cappanawalla Mountain
(Professor T. Johnson). Amongst Sphagnum, shore of Lough Corrib
(Professor Fitzgerald).
Bryum capillare, Hedwig.— On walls, Bally vaughan.
Leucodon sciuroldes, Schwaegr.— Ballyvaughan, Mr. O'Kelly.
Neckera crispa, Dill.-Gentian Hill, Ballyvaughan, Island of
Aran.
Hypnum coiYimutatum, Dill., van— Aran.
Hypnum purum, Linn.— Gentian Hill, Aran, common.
Hypnum unclnatum, Hedw.— Near Kilronan.
Hypnum loreum, Dill.— Ballyvaughan.
Homalothecium serlceum, Linn. — Near Kilronan.
Fissldens adfantoldes, Hedwig. —Ballyvaughan. Amongst rocks,
Aran.
HEPATIC^.
* Denotes a species not previously reported from the County,
FruIIania dilatata, (L.) Dum.— On the trunks of trees, side of a
stream, Carn Seefin ; Gleninagh, and Ballyvaughan.
FruIIania tamarlsci, (L.) Dum.— Gentian Hill, Carn Seefin,
Cappanawalla Mountain, common
*FruIIanIa gcrmana, Taylor.— Carn Seefin, rare.
*LeJcunca minutissima, Smith. —On trees at Gentian Hill ;
Gleninagh, Co. Clare.
*LeJunea microscopica, Tayl.— On Plagiockila, Carn Seefin, rare.
*Lejunca hamatifolia, (Hook.) Dum.--*Gleninagh; Carn Seefin; a
rare species.
*Lejeunea ovata, (Tayl.) Dicks.— On moss and decayed wood, side
of a stream, Carn Seefin, plentiful; a rare species.
Lejeunea serpyllifolla, Dicks.— On the trunks of trees, shores of
Lough Corrib near Carn Seefin.
*Lcjeunea flava, var. — Carn Seefin ; a rare species.
*LeJeunea patens, Lindberg.— On FruIIania, Carn Seefin; Gentian
Hill.
*Lcjeunea Mackail, (Hooker) Dum.— On rocks on the North Island
of Aran (Kilmurv}'), rare.
Radula complanata, (L) Dum.— On rocks. Gentian Hill.
*PorcIIa platyphylla, (L.) Lindberg.— Island of Aran.
Pleurozia cochlcarlformis. — Gentian Hill.
Kantia trichomanes, Dicks.— Gentian Hill, Carn Seefin, common.
*Kant!a arguta^ Nees. — On a damp bank, Carn Seefin (Professor T.
Johnson). Side of a stream near the shore of Lough Corrib ; a very rare
species.
Lepldozia setacea, Web.— Carn Seefin, frequent.
*CephaIozIa eaten u lata, Huben. — On damp peat, Carn Seefin;
♦Ballyvaughan, very fine ; a rare species.
Cephaloziablcuspldata, Linn.— Carn Seefin.
Galway Excursion. — Mosses and Liverworts, '^ 245
Cephalozia Lammersiana, Hub.— Cam Seefin.
Cephalozia sphagn!, Dicks (Spruce).— Carn Seefin.
"^Cephalozia divarlcata, Sm.— Carn Seefin.
"^Cephalozia divarlcata, var. Starkll, Spruce— Ball3rvaughan ;
Carn Seefin ; a rare species.
"^Scapanla aequIloDa, (Schw.), Dum.—Cappanawalla Mountain.
*ScapanIa netnorosa, (L.) Dum.— Carn Seefin, *Bally\-aughan.
*Scapanla aspera. Mull.— Salthill, near Galway; Ballyvaughan,
very fine on Cappanawalla Mountain ; new to these districts.
Dlplophyllum albicans, (Iv.) Dum.— Carn Seefin, Gentian Hill,
Gleninagh, and Ballyvaughan.
Plagriochlla asplenioides, (L.) Dum.— Carn Seefin.
*PIagIochlIa Interrupta, (N.) Dum.— Ballyvaughan. Not pre-
viously published as Irish.t
Plaglochllasplnulosa, (Dicks.), Dum. — Carn vSeefin, shore of Lough
Corrib.
*Juni:ermania (Aplozia) riparia, (Tayl.), Dum.— Moist bank near
Kilronan.
vlungrermanla ventrlcosa, Dicks.— Side of a stream, shore of
Lough Corrib.
Saccogryna vltlculosa, L- — Carn Seefin.
Nardia etnarg:inata, Ehrh.— Gentian Hill; on moist rocks, Carn
Seefin ; common.
Nardia scalaris, (Schr.) Gr.— Carn Seefin; shores of Lough Corrib
common.
Nardia crenulata, (Smith), Lindberg.— Ballyvaughan, Gentian Hill
*NardIa obovata, Nees. — Carn Seefin.
Pellia epiphylla, Linn.— Moist places, Carn Seefin; near Kil
ronan.
*Penia calyclna, Nees. — Damp bank side of a stream, Carn Seefin
a rare species.
lYIetzgrerla furcata, Linn.— On trees. Gentian Hill; Gleninagh;
shores of Lough Corrib.
*IVIctzgrcria conjugata, Lindberg.— Carn Seefin ; rare.
RIccardia multifida, (Dill.), Linn.— Carn Seefin.
Riccardia pinguis, (L.) B.Gr.— Damp, boggy place, Carn Seefin.
IVIarchantia polymorpha, Linn.— Ballyvaughan.
*Re)fc)ouIia hemisphaerica, Raddi.— In the crevices of moist rocks,
Kilronan.
Fagatella conica, (L.) Corda.— Moist bank near Kilronan.
t This may be the type of the plant described by Dr. Moore und^r
the name 01 Fedinophylhim pyrenaicwn^ Spruce. A'. /. A. Proc. (2) vol. ii.,
p. 629.
246 The Irish Naturalist,
PHANEROGAMS, FERNS, &c.
BY R. I.I,OYD PKAE;GER, B.E., AND PROF. J. W. CARR, M.A., F.I^S.
The remarkable flora of the districts lying aroiiiid Galway has long been
famous, and has by this time been tolerably well worked out. Conne-
mara, with its interesting southern species, has attracted many botanists,
whose observations are brought together in Cybele Hibernica ; and since
the appearance of that work, further contributions to our knowledge of
that flora have been made, the most important paper being that of H. C.
Hart."" The limestone district of Burren has likewise been well examined,
as is witnessed by the papers of F. J. Foot,^ T. H. Corry,^ H. C. Ivevinge,^
and others. The interesting flora of the Aran Islands (which are
botanically a part of Clare, not of Galway) has also been carefully
investigated. So that, while close and systematic search would, no
doubt, yield a number of additions to the floras of these districts, but
little in this direction could result from the necessarily hurried and
superficial work of the Field Club excursion ; and indeed, the time of
members was devoted to securing examples of well-known botanical
treasures, rather than to working out the distribution of less interesting
species, or the determination of critical plants. But that the excursion
was by no means barren of results as regards the flowering plants, the
records which are appended will show.
Our notes can be conveniently arranged in three geographical groups :
—I. West Galway (District 8 of Cyhclc Hibernica) ; II. East Galway and
Clare (District 6 of Cybele) ; III. Aran Islands (District 6 of Cybele).
I. West Gai^way (District 8).— Plants were collected chiefly in three
places— Gentian Hill, Carn Seefin on Lough Corrib, and about Recess.
Gentian Hill, a promontory of drift on the shore three miles west of
Galway, is interesting as yielding a group of limestone plants not found
elsewhere in West Galway ; this drift has come from the east or south,
and is largely composed of limestone. Here, within 50 feet of sea-level,
were gathered Dryas odopeiala^ Aspertda cy7ianchica, Chlora perfoliata, Gentiana
verna. Orchis pyratnidalisy Sesleria ccenilea.
At Carn Seefin and Recess the typical Connemara flora reigns supreme.
In both localities grew abundance of Drosera anglicn, D. intermedia, Hyperi-
cum elodeSy Saxifraga wnbrosa. Lobelia DorOnanna, Dabeocia polifoliay Utricularia
intermedia, Eriocatdon septangulare, Rhynchospora alba, Osmunda regalis,
^ H. C. Hart.— Notes on the Flora of the Mayo and Galway Mountains,
Proc. R.LA., Ser. II., Vol. 3, No. 10, 1883.
2 F. J. Foot.— On the Distribution of Plants in Burren, Clare. Trans.
RJ.A.y Vol. 24, 1862.
8T. H. Corry.— Notes on a Botanical Ramble in the County of Clare.
Proc. Belfast Nat, Hist, and Phil. Sac, 1879-80.
•* H. C. Levinge.— iV^c^/mra intacta in County Clare. Journ. Bot.^ vol. 30,
p. 194. 1892.
Galway Excnrsion. — Phanerogams, &c. 247
The following notes are selected for publication :— 1
Thallctrum col 11 n um, Wallr.—Lakeshore below Carn Seefin.
SiiK>uIarIa aquatlca, L.— Glendalough Lake.
Lotus pllosus, Beeke.— Oughterard, Miss Knowles.
Dryas octopctala, L.— Lisoughter Hill behind Recess, Carr.
Saxlfra^ra opposltlfolla, Iv— Lisoughter Hill, Carr.
IVIyriophyllum verticil latum, Iv.— Lake-shore below Carn Seefin.
GEnanthe Lachenalll, Gmel. —Gentian Hill.
Card u us pratensfs, Huds.— Oughterard, Miss Knowles ; Carn
vSeefin.
Hieracium angrlicum, Fr.— Lisoughter above Recess, Carr.
Arctostaphylos Uva-ursI, Spr.— Near summit of Ben Lettery.
lYIelaitipyrutn pratense, L. var. montanum, Johnst— Carn
Seefin.
Scrophularia aquatica, L.— Gentian Hill ; Oughterard.
Scutellaria minor, L.— Gentian Hill ; base of Carn Seefin.
Plngruicula lusitanlca, L.— Carn Seefin, Miss Knowles.
Habenaria chlorantha, Bab. — Carn Seefin, J. A. Audley.
IVIalaxis paludosa, Sw.— Base of Garn Seefin, J. A. Audley.
Sparganlum simplex, Huds. — Oughterard, Miss Knowles.
S. minimum, Fr. — Oughterard, Miss Knowles.
Zostera nana. Roth. — Prof. Johnson supplies the following interest-
ing note : — While waiting for lunch on the day of our arrival, Miss
Hensman and I collected Algce on the muddy shore on the west side of
Gentian Hill, and found several beds of Zostera nana in fruit. The only
Irish record for this plant hitherto published {vide Cybele Hibernica) is a
station near Baldoyle (Co. Dublin), discovered by the late A. G. More.
When recently looking through Mr. H. C. Hart's collections in the
Herbarium of the Science and Art Museum, Dublin, specimens of Z.
nana, gathered by this botanist in Co. Donegal several years ago,
were noticed. The publication of the record awaits Mr. Hart's general
*' Flora of Donegal." Hence the Galway locality is the third in Ireland
for Zostera nana.
Cladlum IVIarlscus, R. Br. — Galway, Oughterard, Recess, abundant.
Rhynchospora f usca, Sm. — Abundant in several places between
Oughterard and Carn Seefin.
Eleocharis multlcaulls, Sm. — Carn Seefin, Praeger.
Sclrpus TatternaemontanI, Gm. — Near Gentian Hill.
Carcx disticha, Huds. — Gentian Hill, Miss Knowles; River Corrib
above Galway.
C. stricta, Good. — River Corrib abov^ Galway, Praeger.
C. pallescens, L. — Carn Seefin.
C. limosa, L. — Abundant about Recess.
C. cxtensa, Good.— Near Gentian Hill.
C. fiilformls, L.— Oughterard, Miss Knowles; River Corrib above
Galway.
Lastrea Orcoptcrls, Presl. — Carn Seefin.
L. aemula. Brack.— Near the summit of Ben Lettery.
» In the following notes, the finder's name is added wherever a plant
was reported by one member only; when found by more than one
member, names are omitted.
248 The Irish Naturalist,
Asplenium vlridCi Huds.—Lisoughter Hill behind Recess, Carr.
Hymenophyllum WllsonI, Hook.— Ben Lettery.
H. tunbridgrense* Sm. — Damp crevice near summit of Ben Lettery,
Praeger.
Isoetes lacustrlSf L.— Glendalough Lake.
Pllularia globullfera, L.— Gathered abundantly in the station
(west end of Glendalough Lake), recorded by Praeger in /.A^., 1895.
II. Kast Gateway and Ci.are (District 6).— In boggy ground at
Menlo' Castle near Galway were gathered Myriophyllum veriidllatuniy
Cladimn Mariscus, Carcx Pseudo-cypems^ Osmunda yrgalis.
In the day spent at Ballyvaughan and Gleninagh, the peculiar Burren
flora was seen to full advantage. On the shelves and crevices on the
limestone hills grew in profusion Aradis hirsuia, Arenaria verna,
Cerastium arvense. Geranium sanguineuMy G. lucidwn, Poterium Sangtiisorbay
Dryas odopetala, Rubus saxatilis, Asperula cynanchica, Galium sylvestre^
Rubia peregrina, Carlina vulgaris, Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi, Gentiana verna,
Epipactis atrorubens, Sesleria ccsrulea, Poly siic hum aculeattuny Cystopteris
fragilis.
Under the guidance of Mr. O'Kelly, Rhamnus catharticus and Potentilla
fruiicosa were seen in the stations given in Mr. Foot's paper'; Ophrys apifera
and Botrychium Lunaria were pointed out near Ballyvaughan, and Pyrola
media high up on the mountain above Gleninagh. Some members
who drove to Black Head brought back Thalictrtwt collinum, Saxifj-aga
Sternbergii, and Adiantum Capillus- Veneris : these have been recorded from
here in Mr. Levinge's paper.
Papaver Rhdeas» L. )
P. hybrldum, L. > Fields at Gleninagh.
P. dublum, L. )
Futnaria pallidlflora,jord.— Gleninagh.
SInapIs alba, L. — Fields near Gleninagh.
S. nliri*a, L. — Gleninagh, MissKnowles.
Hypericum dublum, Leers. — Common about Gleninagh.
Geranium rotund If oil um, L.) Pointed out by Mr. O'Kelly to
G. columblnum, L. > Prof. Fitzgerald and Praeger
growing in stony limestone ground near Ballyvaughan. G, rotundifolium
is an extremely rare plant in Ireland.
Scandix Pecten-Vencrls, L.— Gleninagh, J. A. Audley.
Centaurea Cyan us, L. — Among oats, Gleninagh.
Verbena officinalis, L.— Ballyvaughan, D. M'Ardle.
Neotlnea Intacta, Reich. —Pointed out in fruit near Ballyvaughan
by Mr. O'Kelly, and subsequently observed in many fields in that neigh-
bourhood by Prof. Fitzgerald and Praeger.
Carex pallescens, L.— Gleninagh.
Adiantum CapIIIus-Venerls, L— Found a mile north-west of
Ballyvaughan, by Mrs. Fitt.
III. Great Isi^and of Aran (District 6).— The Aran Islands have
been so thoroughly explored by botanists that it was not to be expected
that the few hours spent by the members on the North Island would
yield much in the way of novelty, though they teemed with interest;
and indeed, the only find reported that merits publication (though it is
Galway Excursion,— Phanerogams^ &pc, 249
not a novelty) is the rediscovery of that rarest of Irish grasses, Calama*
grostis Epigejos, in one of the stations (Killeany) assigned to it by Mr.
Hart. The members were, however, quite satisfied with finding, often in
abundance, the plants, in many cases rare elsewhere, which characterize
the Aran flora, such as Arenaria verna, Cerastium arvense, Geranium satt'
gtiineumt Rubus saxatilis, R, ccsshis, Poierium Sanguisorha^ Sedum Rhodiola, Saxi'
fraga Sternbergii, Pimpinella magna, Crithmrim maritimtim, Cornus sanguinea^
Rubia peregrina, Asperula cynanchica, Galium sylveslre, Carlina vulgaris, Ccntau-
rea Scabiosa, Senecio Jacobcea var. flosculosus, Geniiana verna, Statice occidentalism
Allium Babinglonii, Adiantum Capillus- Veneris. The three days subsequently
spent on the island by Praeger, afforded time for sj'stematic work, and
yielded satisfactory results ; he sends in the following notes as the
result of his observations : —
NOTES ON THE FLORA OF ARANMORK.
BY R. IvIvOYD PRAEGER.
The flora of the Aran Islands has already been carefully investigated.
The first attempt at a complete list of plants was that of Dr. E. P.
Wright', whose paper notices 159 species as growing on the islands. In
1875 Mr. H. C. Hart followed with a much more elaborate paper^, em-
bodying the results of a fortnight's botanizing in August, 1869, and the
additional observations of previous botanical visitors. He gives the
flora of the group as 372, of which 34S are definitely assigned a place
in the flora of the North Island. In Wxo. Journal of Botany for June, 1892,
Messrs. Nowers and Wells published a list of plants additional to Mr.
Hart's list, found by them during a fortnight's visit in June, 1890. They add
41 species to the flora of the group, of which 40 were found on the
North Island, thus bringing up the flora of Aranmore to 388. The one
day spent on the island by the Field Club party gave of course little
opportunity for detailed examination, though most of the characteristic
species were observed ; but the three days which I spent there during
the ensuing week yielded some additions to the flora, and some new
localities for rarer Aran species. Especially on the third daj' of my visit,
I was much assisted by Prof. G. F. Fitzgerald, the keenness of whose eye
made me regret that botany was not his chosen profession. In the
appended notes. A signifies an addition to the flora of the Aran Islands ;
a an addition to the flora of the North Island.
Crambe marltlma, L. — In the greatest abundance on the beach
below the Seven Churches. Not found, though well searched for, in Mr.
Hart's only station, "shore near Kilronan," and apparently extinct
there.
Thiaspl arvense, L. — Field by roadside a mile east of Portmurvy.
Arabis clllata, R. Br. — Dry banks near the roadside half a mile
from Portmurvy pier towards the Seven Churches. One of the rarest of
Irish plants. Found by Mr. Hart on sandhills near Killeany, six miles to
the eastward.
"• Proceedings Dub. Nat. Hist. Soc, Dec. 6, 1S66.
2 A List of Plants found in the Islands of Aran, Galway Bay. Dublin :
Hodges, Foster, and Co., 1875.
250 The Irish Nahiralist,
Arabfs hirsuta, R. Br.— South-west of the old lighthouse.
a. Barbarca vuli:ai*!s, R.Br.— Between Kilronan and Kilmurvy;
recorded by Mr. Hart from the South Island.
Senebiera dfdyma, Pers.- Abundant everywhere, as noted by
Messrs. Nowers and Wells.
a. Alllarla ofTlc! nails, Andrzj.— A little south of the old lighthouse,
and in the rectory grounds at Kilronan (Prof. Fitzgerald) ; recor-
ded by Mr. Hart from the Middle Island.
SInaplsalba, L.— Kilronan, Portmurvy, and at the Seven Churches.
A. Stnapls arvcnsis, L.— Fields west of Kilronan, and elsewhere.
Reseda lutea, L. — Field at Portmurvy.
Viola hirta, L.— South of the old lighthouse, near Oghill, and near
the Seven Churches.
A. Viola arvensis, INIurr.— Near Kilronan and Kilmurvy.
A. Cerastlum tetrandrum, Curt.— On the cliffs behind Killeany,
and at Dun Aengus.
A. Leplgonum salinum, Kindb.— On the clififs near Dun Aengus.
Malvarotundlfolla, L. — Kilmurvy, Seven Churches, and thence
to Bungowla.
Geranium Robertlanum, L.—With white flowers at the Seven
Churches.
Ulex Callii, Planch.— Seen in two places near the centre of the
island. Apparently not found since noted by Prof. Balfour in 1S52.
A. Ulex cu ropaeus, L. — Thicket on the edge of a field between
Portmurvy and the Seven Churches.
lYIedicagro sativa, ly. — Abundant in cultivated land east of Killeany,
evidently sown.
Astragalus Hypoglottis, ly.- Dry bank on the edge of the cliff
west of Dun Aengus.
A. Potentllla fr agar last rum, Ehrh.— Near Oghill.
A. Epilobium obscurum, Schreb. — Common. I saw no trace of
E. tetragonwHy given in Mr. Hart's list as occurring on all the
islands.
Hlppuris vulgaris, L. — Still in the marsh at Lough Atalia, though
not found there by Messrs. Nowers and Wells.
Wlyriophyllum, sp. — Still grows in Lough Atalia, though not seen
by Messrs. Nowers and Wells. Out of flower at the time of my
visit.
Saxifraga tridactylltes, L.— On the ruins of the Seven Churches,
and on rocks further westward. Apparently only previously
observed by D. Oliver in 1850.
/Ethusa Cynapium, L. — Seven Churches.
Viburnum Opulus, L.— Lough Atalia.
A. Scablosa arvensis, L.— Near Kilronan and Kilmurvy.
Carduus tenuiflorus, Curt.— Kilronan.
Sen eel o Jacobaea, L.— The normal form is not now so rare as
stated by Mr. Hart, though the rayless form {ysLY.Jlosculosus, Jord.)
is the prevailing one.
A. Thrincia lilrta, DC— Sandy fields north of Kilronan, and
pastures between Kilronan and Killeany.
A. Clchorlum I ntybus, L.— Field east of Killeany.
Menyanthes trifollata, L.— Recorded by Mr. Hart from Lough
Atalia. Messrs. Nowers and Wells say it was certainly not there
at the time of their visit. It has re-appeared there now.
Gatway Excursion. — Phanerogams, 6*r. 251
Cuscuta Epithymum, Murr.— Still abundant on sandy fields east
of Killeany and at Portmurvy, where the stems colour the pasture
with brilliant patches of dark red, pink, and straw yellow.
Lit h OS per mum officinale, L.— Near Kilronan, and at the Seven
Churches.
a. Pcdicularis palustris, L.— In several spots on the North Island;
noted with doubt in Mr. Hart's list.
A. Veronica Buxbaumil, Ten.— Near Killeany, west of Kil-
ronan, &c.
A. Veronica polfta, Fr.— Roadsides between Kilronan and Port-
murvy.
Calami ntha officinalis, Moench.— Abundant about the Seven
Churches, and thence to Bungowla.
a. IVIarrublum vulgare, L.— Abundant about the Seven Churches;
recorded by Mr. Hart from the Middle Island only.
A. Chenopodlum rwyyruxvi, L. — In great abundance on the muddy
margins of the brackish lake at Port Cowrugli. A very rare plant
in Ireland, and usually near houses or on disturbed ground, so that
it is of interest to find a station M-liere it is abundant and evidently
native. So far as I am aware, it has not been found in the West of
Ireland before.
A. Atriplex hastata, ly. — Shores in several places.
A. Rumcx crispus, L. — In several places.
A. Rumex sangruineus, L. var. viridls (Sibth). — Roadsides in
several parts of the island.
Sallx repens, L. — Portmurvy. Var. argentea Avas gathered by Prof.
Fitzgerald between Portraurv}^ and the Seven Churches.
Junlperus nana, Willd. — In several places. The Aran Juniper is
certainlyy. nana (which was recorded by Prof. Balfour in 1852) and
noty. cojiiniunis.
a. Iris Pseud-acorus, Iv. — Seen in several places; Mr. Hart gives
Middle Island only.
(I. Juncus cffusus, L.— In several places; previously recorded from
Middle Island only.
A. Luzuia multlflora, Lej.— West of Kilronan.
Potamogeton polygon Ifolius, Pourr. — At Lough Atalia. Icould
not find there P. natans, given by Mr. Hart.
A. Eleocharis palustris, R. Br.— Brackish lake on the shore at
Port Cowrugh.
Carex glauca, Scop. — Grows remarkably tall on Aran. The leaves
are commonly 2 to 3 feet high, and the stems 3 to 4 feet.
a, Carex f lava, L.— Near Oghill.
A. Brlza media, L.— Rocks east of Portmurvy.
a. Phragmltes communis, Trin.— Marked in my list as observed,
but locality not noted, as I only subsequently noticed that it is
recorded from the South Island only.
Calamagrostis Epigejos, Roth.— This rare grass, elsewhere in
Ireland known in Co. Derry only, was discovered by Mr. Hart
near Killeany, and on the " inland" side of the road near Oghill.
It was not seen on the island bv Messrs. Nowers and Wells, and
Miss Knowles' re-discovery of It in Mr. Hart's first station is
therefore satisfactory. During my stay I was well pleased to meet
with it in several places near the sea not far from Port Cowrugh,
and to find that it grows in some abundance among rocks near
the sea a little north of Portmurvy Fier, and thence at frequent
intervals all the way to the Seven Churches.
fir
252 The Irish Nahiralist
A. Fcstuca elatlor, L.~Lakelet west ofBungowla.
A. Equlsetum arvense, L.— Near Lough Alalia.
A. Equisetum variegratum, vSchleich, var. majus, Syme.— Among
stones at Lough Atalia. This is the plant recorded doubtfully by
Mr. Hart as E. hyemale.
a. Polystlchum annulare, Newm.— Fine specimens about Oghill;
Mr. Hart quotes Middle Island only.
Lastrea Flllx-mas, Presl. — In a number of places.
A number of rarer Aran plants were seen growing in the stations
already recorded for them by Mr. Hart — such were Sinapis niora^
Helianthemum ^a««/« (abundant in many places) AV5aw;«/j cathartictts, Orohanche
Jiedera (several places), Stachys ai-vensis, &c. The rarest Aran plants not
seen were Matthiola simiaia, Cardials nutans, and Ajuga pyramidalis, but
time did not permit of a visit to Straw Island, the former home of the
first-named,
In conclusion, we have to express our obligations to the various
botanists of the party who favoured us with notes and specimens, and to
Messrs. Arthur Bennett, H. and J. Groves, and Rev. E. F. Linton, for
kindly naming some critical plants.
iv.-^zooi,OGy.
FORAMINIFKRA.
BY JOSKPH WRIGHT, F.G.S.
Th^ following list of Foraminifera must not be looked as complete.
From several packets of shore-sand taken from the vicinity of Dog's
Bay near Roundstone, and given to me by my friend Mr. Robert Welch
of Belfast, I regret to say that from want of time only a portion of one of
them has been examined, with the result given below. I hope at an
early date to go through the remainder of the stuff. It is interesting to
note that the shore-sand at this locality is almost entirely made up of
small shells and Foraminifera. Miliolina secans and Truncatulina lobatula
occur in the greatest profusion, whilst Discorhina globulariSf Miliolina
suhrotunda and M. circularis are also in great numbers.
Bllocullna Irregularis, d'Orb.— Rather rare, specimens very
small.
B. depressa, d'Orb.— Rather rare.
Miliolina olblonira (Mont.) — Rather rare.
IVI. semlnulum (Linn.) — Frequent.
Hi. auberlana (d'Orb,) — Rare.
IVI. subrotunda (Mont.) — Very common.
Galway Excursion. — Forammijera, 253
IVIillollna circularls (Born.)— Very common.
WI, semlnuda,Rss.— Common.
IW. secans (d'Orb.)— Most abundant, specimens large.
var. obliqulstrlata (Halkyard)— Very rare.
IW. Ferussacli (d'Orb.)— Rather rare.
WI. blcornls (W. & J.)— Frequent.
HaplophrairiTiIum canarlense (d'Orb.)— Very rare.
Textularla grramen, d'Orb.— Frequent.
T, concava (Kar.)— Frequent.
Bulimlna fuslformis. Will.— Very rare.
B. marglnata, d'Orb.— Rather rare.
Bollvlna punctata, d'Orb.— Very rare.
CasslduIIna laevlg^ata, d'Orb.— Rather rare.
Lag'ena glolsosa (Mont.)— Rare.
L. laevls var. clavata, d'Orb.— Rare.
L. 11 neata (Will.)— Rare.
L. sulcata (W. &J.) — Common.
L. Wllllamsoni (Alcock)— Common.
L. costata (Will.)— Very rare.
L. sctnlstrlata, Will.— Rare.
L. squamosa (Mont.) — Common.
L. hcxagona (Will.)— Frequent.
L. orblgnyana (Seg.)— Frequent.
L. auadricostulata, Rss. — Rare.
Nodosarla (Clandullna) rotundata, Rss.— Rare.
Cristcllarla rotu lata (Lamk.)— One very small specimen.
C. crepldula (F. & M.)— Rare, specimens large.
Polymorplilna lactca (W. & J.)— Common.
var. oblonga, Will.— Rare.
P. compressa, d'Orb.— Common.
P. problema, d'Orb.— Common.
P. sororia, Rss.— Very rare.
p. rotundata (Born).— Rare.
P. myristlformls, Will.— Rare.
Uvlgerlna angulosa, Will. -Rather rare.
Cloblgerlna bulloldes, d'Orb.— Common.
C. Inflata, d'Orb.— Rather rare, specimens very smaL.
Orbuima unlversa, d'Orb.— Frequent.
Dlscorblna glotoularls (d'Orb.)— Very common.
D. orbicularis (Terq.)— Rare.
D. nitlda (Will.)— Very rare.
PlanorUullna Medlterranensis, (d'Orb.)— Frequent.
Truncatullna lotoatula (W. & J.)-Most abundant
I ruiiucxi, ^^^ variabilis, d'Orb.— Frequent
Pulvlnullna auricula (F. & M.)— Common.
Cypslna Inhaercns (Sch.)— Rare.
Nonlonlna deprcssula (W. & J.)— Rare.
Poiystomella crispa (Linn.) -Frequent.
P?8trlato.punctata (F. & M.)-Rather rare.
:254 ^'^^^ Irish Naturalist.
ARACHNIDA.
(Collected for the R. I.A. Flora and Fauna Committee).
BY GKORGE H CARPKNTBR, B.SC
ARANEIDA.
The; district visited by tlie Field Club Conference was almost virgin soil
as regards Arachnids. Mr. T. Workman's valuable list of Irish Spiders^
deals mainly with northern localities. Mr. D. W. Freeman has collected
industriously for several years in the Dublin district, and a large number
of specimens from various parts of Ireland have been kindly sent to me
by various correspondents, so that material is accumulating for a new
list which I hope to issue before long. The summer is not the time of
5*ear when one finds the small Theridiidce which form the bulk of our
spider fauna, adult; but our collecting in the Gal way district was rewarded
by several Lycosidit and Attidce of great interest. Of the forty-four species
of spiders enumerated below, eleven do not appear in Mr. Workman's
list. My best thanks are due to several members of the party who kindly
helped me in collecting spiders as well as insects.
The most remarkable finds were Lycosa leopardiis on Lough Corrib shore,
Pardosa piirbeckensis (a species only described this year) at Gentian Hill,
Hahnia nwntana on Ben Lettery, and the four species of Ailidic which
conclude the list. The spiders of this family are very scarce in Ireland ;
I have as yet noted only seven species. The discovery of such a rare
species as Athis floricola was, therefore, very welcome, while the presence
of no less than three attids on Aranmore is a remarkable feature in the
fauna of that island.
Dysdera crocota, C. Koch — Mr, R. Welch fovmd an immature male
Dysdera on M'Dara's Island, Roundstone, which must in all probability
be referred to this species. Local in the south of England, this spider
is generally distributed and not scarce in Ireland ; its presence in this
remote western isle is of some interest.
Segestria senoculata, L. — Immature specimens observed in most
of the localities visited, including Aranmore.
Drassus cupreus, Bl. — From an examination of Irish Z>mj-5z, kindly
made by Rev. F. O. P. Cambridge, this species appears to be far more
plentiful in Ireland than the nearly allied D. lapidosjts, Wick, Adult
females with colonies of 3-oung just hatched, were found at Ballyvaughan,
on Lough Corrib shore, and on Aranmore.
ProsthesiiYia Petiverii, Scop. (Cb.)— Ballyvaughan and Aranmore.
The nearly allied P. Latreillci, which is not rare in the south and east of
Ireland, was not observed.
P. nigrita, I'ab.— I did not find this species, but Dr. ScharfFtook it
on Aranmore in September, 1S91.
lYIIcarlosoma festlvum, C. Koch — An immature male on Aran-
more. Not previously recorded as Irish.
Clublona phragmltis, C. Koch— Lough Corrib shore, under stones.
C. rcclusa, Cb. — Recess; Ballyvaughan; Lough Corrib shore in the
wood, female with nest beneath frond of Polypodium. This seems the
commonest of the Irish ClubioncP.
DIctyna ai*uncllnacea, CI.— Immature males and females on L.
Corrib shore.
■• Entomologist, vol. xiii,, 1880, p. 125.
Galway Excursion. — Arachnida. ^55
Tcxtrix dentlculata, Oliv.— Everywhere under stones, including
Aranmore.
Ai:elena labyrinthica, CI.— Mr. Wolfe found two females of this
fine spider at Ballyvaughan. It is common in the south-west of Ireland,
but unknown or verj'' scarce in the east.
Hahnia montana, Bl.— Adults on the summit of Ben Lettery.
This is its first record as an Irish species. Rev. W. F. Johnson took a
specimen at Portrush last year.
Therldlon lineatum, CI.— Abundant in most places. Not
observed on Aranmore, but Mr. Welch took it on M'Dara's Island and
on Inchangoil.
Pedanostethus IIvicIus,Bl.— On the slope of Ben Lettery.
Llnyphia triangularis, CI.— Observed in most localities; not on
Aranmore.
Leptyphantes tenuis, Bl.— Gentian Hill, L. Corrib shore, in
the wood.
Erigrone atra, Bl.— Gentian Hill.
^ E. longripalpls, Sund.— Shore of Galway Bay, among seaweed at
tide-mark.
IVIaso Sundevalll, Westr.— A single female in the wood on L. Corrib
shore with egg-cocoon beneath a dried oak leaf.
Pachygnatha Degeerii, vSund.— In most localities. M'Dara's
Island, but not observed on Aranmore.
Tctragnatha extensa, L. — Recess ; L. Corrib shore.
Meta segmentata, CI.— Immature individuals everywhere on the
mainland; but not observed on Aranmore or M'Dara's Island.
M. merlanse, Scop.— Recess.
Zllla x-notata, CI.— In most localities. Abundant on Aranmore,
making its web in the clefts of the limestone rocks.
2. atrica, C. Koch. — Recess.
Epeira diademata, CI.— Everywhere, common. Males and females
were already adult : rather an early date for this species. The colour
of specimens varied from bright red to blackish Inown.
E, cornuta, CI.— Recess; L. Corrib shore; M'Dara's Island. Like
the last species, showing great colour variation.
Xystlcus cr I status, CL— Observed in most localities, but not on'
Aranmore.
Oxyptila trux, Bl.— Aranmore.— This species is not in Mr. Work-
man's list ; I have examples from several Irish localities.
Dolomedes flmbriatus, Wick.— Recess ; Lough Corrib shore.
This fine spider, perhaps our largest British species, has been found at
various points in western Ireland from Co. Roscommon to Killarney.
M'e observed adult females carrying their egg-bags and young in nearly,
all stages of growth, from the newly-hatched colonies, dwelling in the
web spun (according to Blackwell) by the mother spider, over plants of
Myrica Gale.
Lycosa plcta, Hahn.— Aranmore, on sand-hills.
L. leopardus, Sund.— Lough Corrib shore, including Inchangoil.
This fine spider has not been recorded as Irish, though I took it in 1893
at Castletownbere, Co. Cork.
Li terrlcola, Thor.— Common everywhere, including Aranmore.
L. ruricola, DG.— Lough Corrib shore; Inchangoil.
L. pulverulenta, CI.— Slopes of Ben Lettery.
X
256 The Irish Naturalist
Pardosa amentata, CI.— Ballyvaughan.
P. pullata, CI. — livery where common, including Aranmore.
P. nlgrrlceps, Tlior. — Ballyvaughan ; Aranmore.
P. monticola, C. Koch.— Gentian Hill; M'Dara's Island. This
spider, not previously recorded as Irish, has lately been taken by Mr.
Halbert at Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. The nearly-allied P. -pahcstyis, L.,
common in eastern Ireland, was, curiously enough, not observed in this
district.
P. purbeckensis, F. Cb.— A single female taken at Gentian Hill
must be referred to this species, lately described"" by Rev. F. O. P.
Cambridge from the Isle of Purbeck and the shores of the Solway. An
interesting addition to our fauna.
Euophrys erratlcus, Walck,— Dr. Scharff found this spider on
Aranmore, September, 1891, but it has not been recorded as Irish
before.
E. frontalis, Walck. — Aranmore. Immature females under stones.
This species (which Mr. H. L. Jameson has brought me from Co. Sligo)
has not been recorded as Irish.
Helioptianus cupreus, Wick. — Aranmore; immature males
abundant under stones. Probably a widely-distributed spider in
Ireland.
Attus floricola, C. Koch — This interesting species, whose only
recorded British locality is Brighton, Sussex, was abundant under stones
on the margin of L. Corrib. Adults of both sexes and immature
individuals were obtained. The nest, of beautiful white silk, was found
in a cavity of the stone.
FHALANGIDA.
None of the four species recorded below are worthy of special remark.
Llobunum rotundum, Latr. | Bvery where, including Aranmore
Phalangium opilio, L. ^^^ M'Dara's Island. ^
Olig^olophus morio, I^b. ;
O. trldenSi C. Koch.— L. Corrib shore.
MYRIAPODA.
(Collected for the R.I.A. Flora and Fauna Committee.)
BY gkorge; h. carpente:r, b.sc.
The few Myriapods which I was able to collect add but little to our
knowledge of the Irish species as set forth by Mr. Pocock (^I.N,, 1893,
p. 309). Lithopiiis variegahis was common almost everywhere. L. melanops
and Linotania maritima were found at Ballyvaughan. At the same place
I took lulus luscus, which Mr. Welch found on M'Dara's Island. I did
not observe any Myriapod on Aranmore.
At Gentian Hill I found Scolopendrella ivimaculata, Leach, an obscure
white creature, which belongs to the interesting group Symphyla, and
is not included in Mr. Pocock's list. I have taken this species at several
localities around Dublin, and it is probably generally distributed in the
country. _
^ Ann. Mag. N. H. (6) vol. xv., 1895, p. ^2.
[ 257 ]
INSECT A.
(Collected for the R.I. A. Flora and Fauna Committee.)
COLLEMBOLA and THYSANURA.
BY GKORGE H. CARPE;nTe:r, B.SC
The first volume of the Trans. Ent. Sac, Lond. (1836) contains a paper
by Templeton on the Irish species of these lowly but most interesting
insects. I have, for some time, been collecting material for a revision
of this list, and I obtained a fair number of species around Galway.
COLLEMBOLA,
Smynthurus fuscus, Iv. — Oughterard.
Tomocerus plumbeus, Iv. (Jongicomis, Mull.). — Galway; Ough-
terard. This species is apparently common in Ireland, though not
mentioned by Templeton.
T. trldcntlferus, TuUb. (J>lumbeus, Tempi., Lubb.).— Oughterard.
Orchesella cincta, L. — Oughterard.
Anurlda marltlina, Guer.— Aran, at Kilronan between tide-marks.
Not in Templeton's list, but recorded as from Kinsale by Ivubbock, and
probably common all round the coast.
THYSANURA.
IVIachllls polypodia, L. — Everywhere, including Aranmore and
M'Dara's Island. According to Templeton this is a very common species
in Ireland, an observation which I can abundantly confirm. From
Lubbock's statement it seems to be quite a rarity in the south-east of
England. On Aranmore it occurs in myriads, every stone one overturns
disclosing a large colony. The insects agree closely with the stone in
colour and markings.
M. marltlma, Leach. — Gentian Hill.
Campodea staphyllnus, Westw. — Ballyvaughan. This obscure,
but probably common, insect was described subsequently to Templeton's
paper. Dr. ScharfF has taken it near Dublin.
HYMENOPTERA, ORTHOPTERA, and
NEUROPTERA.
BY GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC
The only family of Hymenoptera to which we were able to pay attention
were the Ants, of which the following species were taken :
Laslus nlger, L. — Oughterard; Ballyvaughan.
L. flavus, D.G.— Gentian Hill.
Leptothorax accrvorum, Fb. — A small colony in a felled fir-trunk
in the wood above L. Corrib shore. This species has only been recorded
as Irish from Carlingford (Rev. W. F. Johnson).
IVIyrnnIca rubra, L. (races ruginodis and scabrinodis)—Q\!i^\.^xQ,x^.
C
258 The Irish Naturalist,
Such Orthoptera as came in our way were noted or collected. The
following five species only were found, but one of these (^Mecostethus
grossus) was one of the best insects taken on the excursion.
Forflcula aurlcularla, L. — Common everywhere, including Aran-
more.
Wlccostethus grossus, L. — Abundant near Oughterard, at Recess,
and on the slopes of Ben Lettery. This fine grasshopper attracted much
attention. According to Mr. E. Shaw {Etit. Mo. Mag. vol. xxv., 1889, p.
412) there are but two recent British captures of the species on record,
one in the fens of Norfolk and one in Co. Kerry. Mr. iil\\\&x{Entom. vol.
xxii., 1889, p. 196) expresses a doubt if it is really a native insect.
Stephens remarked that in his time it was not rare in marshes, and
there are several Irish specimens in the Haliday collection. Dr. Scharff
has taken it at Killarney. It is a northern and central European species.
Stenobothrus vlrldulus, L.— Common everywhere except on
Aranmore, where no grasshopper was seen.
S. bicolor, Sharp. — Oughterard and Recess.
Acrldlum blpunctatum, Iv.— Gentian Hill ; Oughterard. Mr. Kane
has taken this species at Kenmare, and Mr. F. Neale has found it at
Limerick as well as A. szibulatum, L.
The only Neuroptera observed were Lepletrum qiiadrhnaculatiim and
Orihetrum cceriilesccns at Recess, and Calopteryx virgo at Oughterard.
HEMIPTERA.
BY J. N. HAI^BERT.
The following species of Heteroptera were collected. None are rare,
so they do not call for special remark.
Scolopostcthus neg^Iectus, Edw.— Ballyvaughan.
Piesma quadrata, Fieb. — Ballyvaughan, under stones on shore.
Dictyonota crasslcornis. Fall — Ballyvaughan under stones ou
shore ; also common on Aranmore, in a sandy place near Kilronan.
Dcrcphysia follacea, Fall.— Aranmore, one specimen near Kil-
ronan.
VcIIacurrcns, Fab. — Common.
Nabts flavomai-glnatus, Scholtz.— Recess, etc., frequent by
sweeping.
Salda littoral Is, Linn.— Lake shores, common.
Temnostethus puslllus, H. Schff.— Oughterard, sweeping.
Anthocorls sylvcstris, Linn.— Abundant.
Pithanus maerkcll, H.S.— Frequent.
IVIegaloceroea ruflcornis, Fall.— Common near Galway.
Leptopterna fcrrugata, Fall. "|
Calocorisroseomaculatus, De G. I common.
C. tolpunctatus, Fab. j
Lygus patoulinus, Linn. J
Campyloneuravirgula, H. Schf.— Oughterard.
Archotylus marginalls, Rent— Common.
Phylus coryll, Linn.— Oughterard.
Psallas varlans, H. Schif.
Plagiognathus artoustorum, Fab. ]
P. vlrlduIus,Fall. Common.
Asclodema obsolctum, D. 6c b. ;
[ 259 ]
COLEOPTERA.
BY J. N. HAI^BKRT.
The facilities offered on the recent Field Club trip for visiting promis-
ing and in most cases unworked districts were so exceptional, that I
gladly availed myself of the opportunity to collect on that occasion.
The results prove to be very satisfactory considering the time of the
year (not the best for beetles), and the difficulty of making the most of
a few hours when in a strange locality. In the spring of 1880 Mr. J. J. Walker,
R.N., made some valuable captures in the neighbourhood of Gal way,
and with this exception I cannot find that the district has been examined
by any coleopterist. This factwill excuse theinclusion of so many
common species in the following list, and it must be remembered, that
it is more satisfactory to have the records of such when a general list
comes to be compiled than the conjecture that ih.Qy probably occur there
as elsewhere in Ireland.
Of the species collected at least four are new records for Ireland, and
some others are rare or of interest in their distribution. I must
acknowledge my indebtedness to those members who so kindly
assisted me in collecting,and may mention that Mr. G. H.
Carpenter was not so deeply engrossed over spider-hunting as to allow
the rare Leisttis montanus to escape when working Ben Lettery. Mr.
Frank Neale also became a coleopterist specially for the occasion, and
by his exertions considerably extended the list.
Clclndela campestrls, h- — Recess, and locally common.
Carabus catenulatus, Scop. — A few examples at inland localities.
C. clathratus, L. — Slopes of Carn Seefin; no living specimens were
found, but numerous wing cases proved its existence. A northern
species which occurs throughout Scotland, and is widely distributed in
Ireland.
C. granulatus, L. )
Notlophllus biguttatus, F. J Frequent.
N. aquatlcus, L. )
Leistus montanus, Steph. — Top of Ben Lettery. This northern and
mountain species is new to the Co. Galway, but has been recorded from
Croagh Patrick and Mangerton, and ther€ is an example in Mr. Haliday's
collection from I^ugnaquilla, it probably occurs on most of our high
mountains.
Nebria brcvlcoIIIs, F.— Common.
Pelophlla borealls, Payk.— Shore of Lough Corrib near Oughter-
ard. One of our most interesting beetles, an inhabitant of high conti-
nental latitudes, its British distribution being the Orkney Islands and
Ireland, where it occurs as far south as Killarney. It is perhaps the most
remarkable instance of the southern extension in Ireland of a character-
istically arctic animal.
Elaphrus cuprcus, Daft. )
Lorlccra plllcornls, F. [ Lake shores, common.
Cllvlna fossor, L. )
C 2
26o The Irish Naha-alist.
Dyschlrlus aeneus, Dy.— Banks of River Corrib near Galway.
D. griobosus, Herbst. — Common.
Broscus cephalotes, L.— Shore at Gentian Hill; also on sandy
beach near Kilmnrvy, Aranmore.
Badlster bipustulatus, F. \
Harpalus seneus, F. \ ^
H. latus, L I Common on sea-shore under
H. ruflcornis, F. f stones, etc.
DIchlrotrichus pubescens, Payk. )
Pterostlchus tnadidus, F."|
P. vulgaris, Iv- i
P. nigrlta, F. (Common. P. madidus, F., occurred
P. strcnuus, Panz. j on Aranmore.
P. vcrnalls, Gyll. J
P. strlola, F. J
Calathus cistcloides, Panz.— Shore at Gentian Hill. Aranmore.
C. melanoccphalus, L.— Common, also on Aranmore. Some ex-
amples clearly referable to the type have the thorax slightly infuscate,
approaching the var. v7tl>igena,^a\. The latter form was taken on Aran-
more by Mr. J. M. Browne.
Taphrla nivalis, Panz. — Shore at Bally vaughan.
r ^rr^r„"^tls,' L."''- "■} C— on ; also ou Aranmore.
a: SfdulTs'^Pa".'?"*""'''- ) Lough corrib shore near Oughterara.
Bembidiuin minimum, F.— Ballyvaughan, under stones on the
shore. Previously recorded from Belfast, but there is no recent record
from any Irish locality.
B. lam pros, Herbst. — Common ; also on Aranmore.
b! m?iraTe"^.' ^^'''''''} ^"^""^^ °^'^^'' ^^ ^""^^^^ ^'^^-
Trechus minutus, F., var. obtusus, Er.— Common ; also on Aran-
more.
Pogonus chalccus, Marsh. — Shore near Gentian Hill.
Dromius quadrinotatus, Panz. — Recess, beaten from oaks.
Hydroporus obscurus, Sturm. ) t ^ ^t, r^^ -^ i.
Agabus bipustulatus, i. } ^^^-^ ^^'''^^ ^^^^ common.
Orectochilus vlllosus, Mull. — Lough Corrib, in small colonies
under stones along shore.
Anacaena globulus, Payk.— Local. Ballyvaughan, etc.
Phllydrus maritlmus, Thoms. — Aranmore. Abundant in a small
salt-marsh near Kilronan.
Chaetartliria seminulum, Herbst.— River Corrib, near Galway.
Hclophorus aenclpennis, Thoms. — Glendalough near Recess.
H. brcvlpalpis, Bedel.— Common.
Ccrcyon littoral is, Gyll.— Gentian Hill; also on Aranmore, near
Kilmnrvy.
Alcochara lanuginosa, Grav. — Common everywhere.
A. moesta, Grav.— Oughterard, on lake shore.
A. obscurclla, Er. — Aranmore sandy beach near Kilmnrvy. This
species has hitherto been recorded from the Dublin coast and the Great
Blasket Island.
Galway Excu>sio7i,—Coleoptera. 261
Astilbus canallculatus, F.— Common.
Homalota volans, Scrib.— Common on lake shores, etc.
H, vcstlta, Grav. ) Abundant under seaweed, etc., near Gentian
H. trinotata, Kr. \ Hill.
Tachyporus obtusus, I^., van nitidicollis, Steph.— Locally com-
mon, by sweeping.
Quedius fullgrlnosus, Grav. \ Gentian Hill, common on sea
Q. tristis, Grav. / . shore under stones, etc. ; the var.
Q. tnolochinus, Grav. i of molochimcs w^ith dark elytrse
Q- ruflpes, Grav. / was fairly numerous.
Creophilus maxlllosus, L. — Aranmore.
Staphyllnus csesarius, Cider. — Recess, etc., frequent.
Ocypus olens, Mull. ) ^
O. cupreus, Rossi. \ Common.
O. atcr, Grav.— Abundant along shore near Gentian Hill.
O. morlo, Grav. — Frequent; also on Aranmore,
Phllonthus aeneus, Rossi. — Sea shore at Gentian Hill.
P. sordidus, Grav. — Ballyvaughan, under stones on sea shore.
P. Qulsquillarlus, Gyll. — River Corrib bank between Galway and
Menlough. A southern species in Britain, not recorded from north of
Cambridgeshire.
Caflus fuclcola. Curt.— This local species occurred abundantly
under sea weed on the shore near Gentian Hill. Previously recorded
from Greenore.
C. xantholoma, Grav. — Common in same situation as former. A
larva which appears to belong to this beetle was found at the same place.
Xanthollnus punctulatus, Payk. — Recess, etc., common.
X. tricolor, F. — Frequent both inland and on the coast ; also on
Aranmore.
Lath rob I um longulum, Grav. — lyougli Corrib shore, near
Oughterard.
Stenusbuphthalmus, Grav. ] RiverCorribbank,near Galwaj'. The
\ latter has not been previously re-
S. melanopus. Marsh. ) corded as Irish.
S. declaratus, Er. — Recess, &c., sweeping.
S. brunnlpes, Steph. ]
S. Impressus, Germ. [Common, by sweeping.
S. simills, Herbst. J
S. pubescens, Steph.— River Corrib, several off sedges.
S. tarsal Is, Lynn. — Recess, sweeping herbage.
Sllpha atrata, L., var. s u b rot un data, Steph.— Common in most
places.
Cocclnella hieroglyphica, L.— Recess, sweeping amongst Heath.
Halyzla xvl -guttata, L. \ ^^^^ Qughterard, beaten from Alder.
H. conglobata, L. i t> '
Chllocorls bipustulatus, 111.— Near Oughterard, off Birch. Does
not seem to have been previously recorded from Ireland.
Rhizoblus litura, F.— Found on the shore near Ballyvaughan. The
occurrence of certain species (usually taken by sweeping their food plants)
under stones on the coast, seems to be pretty frequent in the west,
amongst others I have taken Gastroidca polygoni^ L. , in this way.
Meligethes ruflpes, Gyll.— Aranmore, one specimen by sweeping.
Does not seem to have been previously recorded from Ireland.
262 The Irish Nahiralist.
Byturus tomentosus, F.— Ballyvaughan, several by sweeping.
Byrrtius pi I u la, L.— Bally vaugliau, under stones.
Parnus prollfericornis, F.— Common on lake shores.
Aphodius lapponuiYi, Gyll,— On Ben Lettery. A northern species;
probably occurs in all our upland districts.
Ceotrupes stcrcorarlus, L.— Common; also on Aranmore.
G. sylvaticus, Panz.— Common.
Scrica brunnea, L.— Gentian Hill, etc., off bushes.
Phyllopcrtha hortlcola, L. — Coast near Galway.
Cetonia aurata, L. — Aranmore, common on the flowers of Riibus,
GaliuDi, Senecio, etc. The occurrence of the Rose-beetle in such abundance
on Aran was unexpected, as it is rare or local on the mainland. Has
been only definitely recorded from near Belfast. Mr, W. F. de V. Kane
has observed it locally on the Cork littoral and in the Glengariff dis-
trict, and I have lately seen specimens taken by Mr. A. Neale at Tramore,
near Waterford. It is a common insect in the south of England, and
seems a striking example of the tendency of southern insects to have a
western range in Ireland.
Lacon murinus, I^. — Aranmore, under stones near Kilronan.
Cyphon nitfdulus, Thorns, "j
C. variabilis, Thumb. |
Telcphorus bicolor, F. )• Frequent, by sweeping.
T. thoracicus, M. |
Rhagronycha fulva, Scap. J
Chrysomela Staphylea, Iv.) xTear Galwav ^weenbicr
Gastroidea polygoni, I^. | ^^^^ Galway, sweepmg.
LochiTidea suturalis, Thoms. — Recess, etc., common on heath.
Long:itarsus holsaticus, L. — Near Galway, sweeping.
L. luridus, Scop. — A slightly immature specimen taken near Recess,
is probably referable to this species.
L. pellucid us, Foudr. — Ballyvaughan and Oughterard. A few
examples of this local and southern species occurred by sweeping. Has
been recorded from Bundoran.
L. Jacobaeae, Wat. — Common.
Cassida nobi I Is, L.— Ballyvaughan, in numbers on shore clinging
to stones amongst a growth of Honckeneya peploides^ on which plant it was
observed by the Rev. W. F. Johnson at Greenore.
Apion carduorum. Kirby. — Near Galway, common.
Otiorrhynchus blandus, Gyll,— Gentian Hill, under stones on
coast ; also on Aranmore. Sub-alpine, and common in Scotland, but has
not occurred in England.
O. lig^neus, Ol.— Ballyvaughan and Gentian Hill, frequent on shore.
O. PJciPes, Fb.^c^^^^^^^
O. sulcatus, F. \
O. ruglfrons, Gyll.— Gentian Hill and Ball5^vauglian; also in Aran-
more. Seems to be much more common on the west than on the east coast.
Barynotus Schbnhcrri, Lett.— Gentian Hill.
Orchcstcs fagi, L. — Common
O. salicis, Iv. — Recess, swept off Willow.
lYIiaris campanulae, L.— Ballyvaughan. Several on the hill-side in
the flowers of Cavipamila rotundifolia, L.~Not previously recorded from
Ireland.
Ccellodes quercus, F.— Recess, beaten from Oak.
Ceuthorrhynchus ericae, Gyll.— Common everywhere on Heath.
C. erysiml, F.— Aranmore, sweeping near Kilmurvy.
[ 263 ]
DIPTERA.
BY GEORGE H. CARPENTER, B.SC.
Opportunity was taken to secure some specimens of this order of insects,
which since Haliday's time have been almost neglected in Ireland.
Their distribution over the country is so little known, that I make no
apology for giving a list of all the species which I have been able to
identify, though most of them appear to be common and widespread.
Tfpula macullpennls, Mg.— Lough Corrib.
Haematopa pluvlalis, L.— Recess ; Lough Corrib.
Chrysopa rellctus, Mg.— Recess.
Therloplectes tropicus, L.— Recess.
Microchrysa pollta, L.— Recess.
Nemotelus pantherlnusp L — Gentian Hill.
Leptis lineola, Fb. — Recess.
Em pis stercorea, L. — Recess, Lough Corrib.
Hybos g^rosslpes, L. ) t t, r^..^^\u
Dollchopus signatus, Mg.| ^^^^'^ ^^^^^^-
Serlcomyia lappona, L. — Summit of Ben Lettery.
Pyrophaenaocyml, Fb. — Galway, Aranmore.
Sphaerophoria nltldlcollis, Zett.— Lough Corrib.
Echlnoinyia fera, L. \
E. grossa, L. [ Lough Corrib.
Ollvieria lateralis, Fb. )
Hylemyla variata, Fall. — Galway.
Hyetodesia flaveola, Fb. — Gentian Hill.
IVIydaea urbana, Mg. — Lough Corrib.
Orygma luctuorum, Mg. ? On seashore at Gentian Hill Otl
Fucomyla friglda, Fb. J Fuais, at tide- mark..
Tephritls leontodontis, D.G.— Gentian Hill; Lough Corrib.
Urophora solstltlalls, L, ) Ballyvaughan.
Tctanoccra punctulata, Scop.) ^ ^
Lauxanlaaenea, Fall.— Lough Corrib.
LEPIDOPTERA.
BY W. F. DE V. KANE, M.A., F.E-S.
On the excursion to ReceSvS the captures most worthy of note were as
follows. I took a large number of larvai oi Acronycta vienyanihidis feeding
on Myrica gale and one on Menyanthes trifoliata^ some of them within a
fortnight of pupation. Larvte oi Hadena pisi \i^r^ also very numerous
on various food plants. An imago of Agrotis lucernea was taken by the
party who ascended Ben Lettery, an interesting locality for this coast-
loving species. Mr. Wolfe of Skibbereeu was fortunate in securing a
nice specimen of the rare and local Selidosetna ericetaria. I collected some
very striking forms of Camptogramma bilineata on the heather very similar
to some in my cabinet from the Killeries.
264 The Irish Naturalist.
The following lepidoptera also were in evidence— ia/j/rwj semcle and
Epinephile hyperanthes abundantly, a specimen also of Argynnis aglaia and
Tanagra atrata.
At Bai,i,yvauGhan, Co. Clare, the stony district traversed was not such
as to reward a flying visit in search of lepidoptera. A few Argynnis aglaia
and Satyrus semele were noticed. Larvae oi DiantJuvcia ciicnbali and probably
some of D. capsophila were found in Silene maritinia and ^. inflata. A few
very pale Larentia cxsiata were observed conformable to the tint of the
grey limestone, and one Gnophos obscuraria too worn to distinguish its
character; Herbula cespitaUs abounded in the short herbage, and a few
Anaitts plagiata. The most interesting .species taken were one Anticlea
cucullata by myself on the wall of Gleninagh Castle, where the party
gathered for lunch, an insect almost unrecorded hitherto in Ireland ; and
one of Phothedes captiuncula by Mr. Carpenter, which was remarkable for
its dark and strongly marked delineation, differing thus from the English
form, but not so brightly coloured as those occurring near the town, and
elsewhere in the County of Galway.
At InishmorE (Island of Aran) a pupa of Dianihcecia capsophila was
found. Satyrus semele and Argynnis aglaia turned up abundantly, as well as
Cainptogramma bilineata, which is here of a very pale and inconspicuous
type, a protective character already noted in the Larentia coesiata of
Ballyvaughan.
At OuGHTKRARD, Mr. Wolfe found larvae of Thccla rubi feeding on
Erica Teiralix, an unusual food-plant for the species.
MOLLUSC A.
BY R. STANDEN,
Hon. Curator, Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland,
Marine Moi.i,usca.
The subjoined catalogue of 112 marine species collected by Messrs.
A. R. Nichols, R. Welch, Fred. Bigger, E. Collier, Miss Kelsall, and my-
self, embraces the usual common littoral forms found living everywhere
in the district, together with a number of scarcer species from shore
drift at Dog's Bay, Connemara. This drift, of which Mr. Welch and I
brought home a large quantity, has proved most prolific, and we are
indebted to Dr. Chaster, of Southport, for much valuable aid in sorting
material, and in determination of minute species. It contains, in addition
to adult examples, a vast number of embryonic specimens in beautiful
condition. Ovciun glabrum with spiral attached is common, and separate
spirals are plentiful. Patella vulgata, Helcion pelhicidiim, and Tectura virginea
with embryo spiral cap are all common. Most of the bivalves are represen-
ted only by valves, but the univalves are, as a whole, in good condition
and abundant in individuals— /'/<?«w<c7wa and Rissoa especially so.
Galway Excursioyi. — Mollusca.
265
The most important record from Dog's Bay is undoubtedly the
occurrence oi Lepton Sykesii, Chaster, in the shore drift. For original des-
cription see Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist, for March, 1895, p. 248 ; and Journal
of Malacology, June, 1895, p. 36, for further notes by J. T. Marshall. Both
record it only from Guernsey.
Mr. Nichols took Modiolaria marmorata, Cardhun tiojvegicum, Venus casina,
and Chiton 7?iarginatus at Gleninagh — the latter species being also found
by Miss Kelsall at Aranmore. I found Rissoa violacea and R. parva in
abundance near Kilronan, and under stones at low water near Killeany,
B. undatum var. littoralis occurred — a pretty little form exactly agreeing
with West of Scotland examples.
The late Dr. Alcock gives a list of about fifty species from Dog's Bay in
Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. Manchester, 1866, including several species not
taken by us, but the following catalogue contains many additional species,
and amply indicates the rich field which exists here for some systematic
dredging with modern appliances.
Anomia ephipjnum, Iv.
Ostrea edulis, ly.
Pecten varius, Iv.
P. maximus, I<.
Limasuhauriculata, Mont-
L, Mans, Gm.
Mytilus edulis, L.
Modiolaria marmoratay
Forb.
Pectunculiis glycimeris, Iv.
Area tetragona, Poli.
Lepton nitidum, Turt.
L. Clarkiob, CI.
L. Sykesii, Chaster.
Montacuta hidentata,
Mont.
M. ferniginosa, Mont.
Lascea rubra, Mont.
Cyamium ininiimim. Fab.
Cardium echinatwn, I^.
C. edide, L.
C. norvegicum, Speng.
Venus lincta, Pult.
V. casina, Iv.
V. gallina, L.
Tapes decussatus, Iv.
Te/lina halthica, L.
T. tenuis, Da C.
T. donacina, ly.
Donax vittatus, Da C.
Mactra solida, Iv.
Lutraria elliptica. Lam.
Scrohicularia alba. Wood.
Ceratisolen legutnen, L/.
Solen ensis, L.
S. siliqua, 'Li.
S. vagina, L,.
Corbula gibba, Oliv.
Saxicava rugosa, L.
Teredo norvegica, Speng.
Dentalium entalis, Lt.
Chiton marginatus, Penn.
Patella vulgata, L.
Helcion pellucidum, ly.
Tectura virginea, Mlill.
Trochus helicinus. Fab.
T. magus, L.
T. cinerarius, L/.
T. umhilicatus, Mont.
T. lineatus. Da C.
T. exasperatus, Penn.
T. zizyphinus, ly.
Phasianella pulla, L.
Lacuna divaricata. Fab.
L. puteolus, Turt.
L. pallidula. Da C.
Littorina obtusata, Iv.
L. neritoides, I/.
Z. rudis, Maton.
L. littorea, Iv.
Rissoa punctura, Mont.
R. costata, Ad.
R. parva, Da C.
R. viembranacea. Ad.
R. violacea, Deshn.
R. striata, Ad.
R.fulgida, Ad.
R. solnta, Phil.
R. cingillus, Mont.
Hydrobia ulvce, Penn.
Barleeia rubra, CI.
Skenea planorbis. Fab.
Honialogyra atomus, Jeff.
B. rota, F. & H.
Ccecum glabrum, Mont.
Turritella terebra, L.
Scalaria communis, Lam.
S. Trevelyana, Leach.
IS. clathratula. Ad.
Aclis unica, Mont.
Odostomia minima, Jeff.
0. nivosa, Mont.
0. rissoides, Han.
0. turrita, Han.
0. diaphana, Jeff.
0. lactea, L.
0. nitidissima, Mont.
lanthina rotundata.
Leach.
Eidima distorta, Desh.
Natica Alderi, Forbes.
Lamellaria perspicua, L.
Aporrhais pes-pelicani, L.
Cerithium reticulatum,
DaC.
C. perversum, L.
Cerithiopsis tubercularis,
Mont.
Puipura lapillus, L.
Puccinum undatum, L.
Trophon truncatus, Str.
Fusus antiquus, L.
Nassa reticulata, I,.
N. incrassata, Str.
Defrancia linearis, Mont.
D. purpurea, Mont.
Plewotoma costata, Don.
P. nebula, Mont.
P. IcBvigata, Phil.
P. rufa, Mont.
P. turricula, Mont.
CyprcEa europcea, Mont.
Cylichna cylindracea,
Penn.
Utriculus truncatulus,
Brug.
Philine punctata, CI.
A]>ly.sia punctata, Cuv.
Spirialis retroversus^
Flem.
266 The Irish Naturalist.
I^AND AND Freshwater Moi.IvUSCA.
The number of members particularly interested in the investigation of
the land and freshwater moUusca of the district covered by the
excursion was practically limited to myself, and Messrs. Welch and
Collier, but several others so far interested themselves as to pick up such
specimens as they came across whilst engaged in their own special
pursuits, and handed them to me. In this way much valuable
assistance was rendered, for which I would here take the opportunity
of thanking one and all.
From the diversified character of the ground over which our researches
extended, a good list was hoped for, but, with the exception of Lough
Corrib, the various sheets of water proved rather unproductive. The
failure to find the rare Vertigo Moulinsiana was a grievous disappointment,
but .circumstances prohibited any lengthy search in its recorded
localities, to which moreover we had no precise clue.
On the occasion of our trip to Oughterard the courtesy of a local
gentleman, Mr. Henry Hodgson, J. P., of Currarevagh, in kindly
placing a couple of boats at our disposal, enabled Messrs. F. J.
Bigger, R. Welch, E. Collier, and myself to cross over to Inchangoil,
and he otherwise extended his hospitality. This visit was especially
interesting, both from the historic associations connected with the place
and from the fact that it was very probably the first time a conchologist
had ever set foot on this beautiful islet, which proved a good collecting
ground.
On the breaking up of the party, eight of us spent a few days at
Roundstone, and whilst some visited Inis MacDara, and other places,
the rest investigated the shores and sandhills of Dog's Bay. (For
particulars of the interesting deposit of semi-fossil land shells found
there see note at end of list.) On the return journey a break was made
at Athlone, where the night was spent, and next day the party visited
Clonmacnois. The many interesting finds made during this " extension
trip" are included in the subjoined list— in which I have chiefly followed
the nomenclature and classification used by Dr. Scharff in his " List of
Irish Mollusca." In all cases where a particular species was only taken
by one individual his name follows in brackets.
Vitrlna pelluclda, Mull.— Gentian Hill, near Galway ; Aran ; Inch-
angoil ; and Inis McDara. As is generally the case during the summer
months only dead specimens were obtained.
Hyallnia cellaria, Mull. — Common everywhere.
Hy. draparnaldl, Beck.— Very fine near Kilronan, Aran; and
Clare-Galway Abbey.
Hy. alliarla, Miller.— Clare-Galway Abbey; Inis McDara; and
near Athlone. Uncommon.
Hy. nitidula, Drap.— Common at Clare-Galway; Inchangoil; Innis
McDara ; and Clonmacnois.
Hy. pura, Alder.— On Inchangoil, the only locality noted, the brown
variety is fairly plentiful under moss-covered stones in the graveyard.
Hy. radlatula, Alder.— Several fine specimens under stones on
shore of Lough Corrib, between the Abbey and Castle at Annaghdown.
Hy. crystalllna, Mull.— A small compact form at Gentian Hill;
Ballyvaughan ; and Inchangoil. Not plentiful.
Galway Excursion. — Mollusca. 267
Hy. fulva, Miill. — Very large uuder stoues on shore of Lough Corrib,
at Annaghdown ; and several of a smaller type amongst moss on
Inchangoil.
Hy. nitlcla» Miill.— At Annaghdown, and on Inchangoil this local
species occurs in considerable numbers, close to the water's edge.
Hy. excavata, Bean. — One specimen at Gentian Hill (Kane). Pro-
bably not uncommon there, as, although a local species, it is generally
plentiful w^here it occurs.
Arlon ater, ly. — Abundant everywhere, and variable in colour ; van
brimnea, Rbk., was noted at Gentian Hill ; var. bicolor, Rbk., under old
coffin boards in Clare-Galway Abbey ; and var. albolateralis, Rbk., at Aran.
A. subf uscus, Drap. — Common in Clare-Galway Abbey, along with
its variety, aurantiaca, Loc.
A. hortensis, Fer. — Not uncommon at Gentian Hill, and Clou-
macnois, where var. nigra, Moq., was the prevalent form.
A. clrcumscrlptus, Johnst. — Two specimens at Clonmacnois, and
one near Roundstone.
LImax tnaxlmus, L. — One specimen of var. cinerea, Moq., at Bally-
vaughan .
L. margrlnatus, Miill. (=Z. arhoreum, B.-Ch.).— Gentian Hill ; Bally-
vaughan ; and woods in Mr. Hodgson's demesne on shore of Lough
Corrib. Not uncommon.
AgTloIfmax agrestls, L. — Common. At Clare-Galway most of the
specimens seen were the creamy-white var. albida, Pic. On Aranmore a
very dark form is common — probably var. nigra, Morelet-
Amalla grag'ates, Drap. — One specimen of the dark lead-coloured
\2S. phiuibca, Moq., taken at Inis McDara by Mr. R. Welch.
A. Sowcrbyl, F^r. — vSeveral in graveyard at Clare-Galway Abbey.
Helix pygrtnaea, Drap. — Several amongst moss at Inchangoil; and
in rejectamenta of River Shannon at Athlone.
H. rotundata, Miill. — Common everywhere, except in the Bally-
vaughan district, where it is remarkably scarce. The var. Tur/oniy'Flem..,
occurs in Clare-Galway Abbey.
H. rupcstr Is, Miill. — Plentiful on rocks and walls at Ballyvaughan
and Aranmore. On the roadside limestone walls between Athlone and
Clonmacnois it swarms, and is there unusuall}^ large.
H . aculeata, Miill. — vSome pretty light-coloured examples under dead
branches at Inchangoil (Standen).
H. pulchellaf Miill.— Fairly plentiful at Annaghdown ; Inchangoil ;
and in rejectamenta of River vShannon at Athlone. None of the ribbed
variety {If. costata, Miill.) were observed.
H. hlsplda, L. — Type, and var. concinna, Jeff., are common every-
where.
H. rufesccns, Penn.— Common at Clare-Galway ; near Athlone; and
at Clonmacnois, where a small compact "form of var. rubens, Moq., is
plentiful along with the type.
H. vlrgata, Da Costa. — Very abundant on Aranmore. Mostly typical
in colour and markings ; var. subalbida, Poir., and var. albicans, Grat.,
being the only variations noticed.
H. cricctorum, Miill. — Common in nearly every locality visited.
It is especially plentiful at Ballyvaughan, in and around the small hay-
fields, and is extremelj^ fine and variable. Specimens of var. instabilis,
Zgl., are plentifiil near Gleninagh. On Aranmore a small dark form of
var. hiuozona, Moq., is abundant ; and some from Inis Mc Dara are almost
black; others from Roundstone are the var. hyalozonata, Chll., and every
conceivable intermediate form between the type and above-named
varieties may be collected.
268 I he Irish Naturalist.
H. acuta, Miill.— Abundant, along with var. stiigala, Menke., and var.
articulata. Lam., on Aranmore, between Kilronan and Killeany. 02curs
sparingly on the sandhills at Dog's Biy, and on the fortifications at
Athlone.
H. nemoralis, Miill. — The extreme beauty in colour and variability
of banding exhibited by this common species deservedly make it a prime
favourite with collectors, and nowhere in the United Kingdom can such
lovely examples be obtained as in the West of Ireland. At Gentian
Hill, numerous pretty forms were secured, including vars. albolabiata, V.
Mart., rubella, Moq., castanea, Moq., and lihdlula, Risso. At Ballyvauglian
it attains to great perfection, and many fine examples were taken from
the walls surrounding the small fields, but when the weather is dry they
retreat far amongst the stones, and require careful search. The shells
are of exceptional size and beauty in this locality, some being remark-
ably thin and fragile, which at first seems rather strange, considering
that the district is on the limestone, and therefore a suitable habitat for
snails ; but nearly all the little meadows are formed by covering up the
limestone pavement with boggy earth brought from a distance, and it is
a well-known fact that snails do not love bogs. This may account for
the thinness of the shells, but will not for their large size. The varieties
obtained were roseolabiaia, Taylor, albolabiata, V. Mart., rubella, Moq.,
libellida, Risso., castanea, Moq., hyalozonata, Taylor, and innumerable other
intermediate forms of colour and banding. A full account of all the
forms obtained here during a four days' visit last year is given in a paper
by Mr. Ed. Collier, in The Journal of Conchology, for April, 1895. The
greater part of the day on Aranmore was quite unproductive, concho-
logically, but the heavy rain which fell towards evening caused the snails
to leave their snug retreats in the fern-filled crevices of the limestone
terraces, and a number of fine specimens were secured before the steamer
started. In their general characteristics the Aranmore specimens do not
differ greatly from those [at Ball}- vaughan, except in the remarkable
preponderance of white and rosy-lipped forms. Some large semi-fossil
specimens from a drift near the priest's house at Kilronan closely re-
semble those from Dog's Bay. In the ancient grave3'ard at Clonmacnois
some pretty forms occur, notably one in which the bands are all coalescent,
and, but for a minute white sutural line, the shell would be perfectly
black. It occurs on Inchangoil.
H. aspersa, Miill. — Common throughout, and remarkable mainly
for its extreme uniformity of marking. A few specimens of var.
undulata, Moq., were noticed, and five good examples of the pale yellow
variety exalbida, Menke, were taken on the terraces and walls between
Kilronan and Killeany, Aranmore.
Bullmlnus ofascurus, Miill. — Very fine under stones on roadside
between Athlone and Clonmacnois (Standen).
Cochllcopa lubrlca, Miill. — Abundant, with its vars. lubricoides,V^r.,
ovata, Jeff., and hyalina, Jeff.
Pupa cyllndracea, Da Costa (=P. wnbilkata, Drap.) — Common.
On Inis McDara, var. curta, Westl., occurs (Welch).
Pupa muscorum, Miill. — A few at Ballyvaughan ; Aranmore; Inis
McDara ; and Roundstone.
Vertigo pygriTidsa, Drap. — Common under stones at Aunaghdown,
on shore of Lough Corrib.
V. antivertlgo, Drap. — Several in rejectamenta of River Black-
adder, at Ballynahinch.
Balea perversa, L. — Inis McDara (Welch).
Clausilfa bldentata, Strom. (=C/. rugosa, Drap.).~Commou in
most localities.
Galway Excursio7i.-' Mollusca, 269
Succlnea putris, L.— Banks of river at Clare-Galway ; shore 01
Lough Corrib near Oughterard; and on Inchangoil. Common.
S. eleg^ans, Risso. — Some pretty examples of var. ochracea, Betta, on
shore of Lough Corrib, in Mr, Hodgson's demesne.
Carychlum minimum, Mull. — Common at Annaghdown.
Alexia dentlculata, Mont. — Common and very fine near Gentian
Hill (Kane).
Limnaea stag-nails, L.— Abounds in the Victoj-ia ?r^2^ tank at the
Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Common in Lough Corrib at Annaghdown.
On the shore of Inchangoil a curious little obese form is very plentiful,
which agrees exactly with specimens of var. fossarina in my cabinet from
Lough Erne.
L. peregra, Mull. — Common in all the loughs and streams ; variable
in form, but small in size.
L. palustrls, Mull. — Gentian Hill (Kane). Common in Lough
Corrib, of a small obese form — var. odesa, Taylor. In River Shannon
rejectamenta a few small specimens occurred. '
L. truncatula, Mull. — River Shannon, and river at Ballynahinch ;
occurs in rejectamenta. Plentiful at Annaghdown.
Planorbis marginatus, Drap.— Plentiful at Annaghdown ; Inchan-
goil ; and in Lough Corrib generally.
P. spirorbis, L. — Common in swampy places in Lough Corrib.
P. contortus, L.— A few cast up on the shore at Inchangoil.
P. a! bus, Mull. — Plentiful at Inchangoil.
P. crista, L. — Several specimens on caddis-cases at Annaghdown.
Ancylus fluviatilis, Mull. — Plentiful in Lough Corrib, especially
at Inchangoil, where the stones are thickly studded with a small form of
var. gibbosa, Bourg. Dead shells abundant on caddis-cases in the rejecta-
menta of River at Ballynahinch.
A. lacustris, L. — Three specimens from dead stems of Eqtnsetuin^
River Shannon.
Bythinia tentaculata, L.— In Ballynahinch River rejectamenta ;
common in Lough Corrib everywhere.
Valvata plscinalis. Mull. — Common at Annaghdown and Inchan-
goil.
Sphaerlum corncum, L. — A small form is common in all the
loughs examined.
Pisidium pulchellum, Jenyns. — Lough Corrib, at Annaghdown.
P. milium, Held. (= P, r^5«/w, Jeff.)— The only mollusc found in a
small pond on Aranmore, about a mile from Kilmurvy (Standen).
P. pusiilum, Gmel. — Common in Lough Corrib, and occurred in
rejectamenta of the Shannon at Athlone.
Anodonta cygnea, L. — Probably common in some of the quiet
parts of Lough Corrib. A broken valve was found at Annaghdown.
The semi-fossil land shells of Dog's Bay, Connemara, possess a peculiar
interest, and the large H. ncmoralis obtained there are well known to
most conchologists. In the Journal of Conchology for April, 1S85, Mr. R.
D. Darbishire has a short paper on this remarkable shell-deposit as
observed by him in 1865. He describes them as occurring in an old sward
which appeared as a black band, about two inches deep in the face of a
small cliff or section of sandhill closing the bay to the eastward. Our
stay at Roundstone afforded an opportunity of personally investigating
the deposit, of which we availed ourselves to the full. The features of
the isthmus between Dog's Bay and Gorteen Bay appear to have altered
270 The Irish Naturalist.
considerably since Mr. Darbistire's visit, and no *' black band " answer-
ing to his description could be found. But, in several places where the
wind had cut a clean section through the sand-dunes, the old land
surface was exposed and showed plainly as an earthy layer about a foot
deep, quite distinguishable from the blown sands above and below, and
this was full of land shells in good preservation, all the species men-
tioned by Mr. Darbishire being obtained, together with several additional
ones. The H. 7iemoralis found in this earthy layer are of ordinary char-
acter, and comparatively recent, most of them still retaining traces of
colour. The large and massive specimens, which undoubtedly belong
to an earlier epoch, all occur in the stratum below, which is from three
to four feet deep, and composed of clean sand, foraminifera, and finely
comminuted shells. As the shells from these separate layers are
weather out, they are blown about the sandhills and accumulate in
the hollows, where they lie by hundreds intermingled together, but
specimens belonging to the two epochs may be determined at a
glance by their comparative size, and by the nature of the material with
which they are filled. The older shells are not only remarkable for
weight and solidity, but also for their dimensions. Some specimens
measure 28 mills, in breadth, by 18 mills, in height, but the elevation of
spire varies considerably, some examples being very depressed. Some
specimens are umbilicated, others have a thick, heavy, curiously constric-
ted lip, folding inwards near the suture, and forming a tooth-like pro-
tuberance. Variously banded forms occur, but they are mostly bleached
pure white, and as a rule are very perfect, except that in some cases a
narrow triangular portion of the lip near the suture is broken out, but this
is probably owing to the action of frost. The substance of these massive
shells is not calcareous as in recent examples, but more of the nature
of arragonite, and the deposition of the material in layers is well shown
by making a section of the shell. The following is a full list of the species
found in the deposit: — Vitruia pelhccida, Hyalinia cellaria, H. nitidida, H.
pura, H. crystallina, H. ftdva. Helix aciilcata, H. neinoralis, II. riifescens, H.
hispida, H. concinna^ H. virgata, H. capcrata, H. ericetorum, H. pygmaa, H.
aspersa, H. pukhella, II aaita, Pupa inuscortim, Vertigo angnstior, V. pygmcea,
V. substriata, Clausilia bidentata, Cochlicopa lubrica, Carychiiim mininnu7i, Acme
lineata. Careful search in the immediate vicinity for living examples of
above only yielded H. aspersa, H. acuta, H. ericetorum, and P. vtuscorum.
Some specimens of H. nemoralis of ordinary character were, howeven
found living on the road to Roundstone.
c
a.,
o
o
[ 271 ]
v.— ARCHEOLOGY.
BY FRANCIS JOSEPH BIGGER, M.R.I.A.
Hon. Sec. b.n.f.c.
The following were some of the antiquities examined by the members
during the excursion.
GAI.WAY.— The most interesting of the many objects of antiquarian
study in Galway was the old Collegiate Church of S. Nicholas, now the
Parish Church. Almost all the members examined this structure, which
presents so many distinctive features to the ecclesiologist, carefully con-
served, with none of its historic features obliterated. It presents a
model of what many of our at present dilapidated churches might be
made in usefulness and beauty. The Lynch and Joyce monuments are
fine, whilst the old square carved font is particularly so. A fine peal of
bells occupies the tower ; one of them bears date 1631 ; whilst all around
the roof there is an extensive display of the most grotesque gargoyles.
In the north aisle a curious stone structure, with pillars supporting a
canopy, is built against the wall ; it would be a solution of a disputed
point if this were found to have been a street pulpit.
Portions of the old town walls still remain, with a gateway at the
quay, and portions of a tower in Francis Street. The quaint old Lynch
mansion, with its square-headed windows, attracted much attention on
account of the weird history connected with its mayoral occupant.
The Claddagh settlement was also visited, and the primitive homes
and habits of the people, now fast assimilating with the townsfolk, duly
noted.
BALI.YVAUGHAN.— At Ballyvaughan a very perfect medieval castle of
the O'Loghlins was made the rendezvous of a lunching party, such
as had not been seen within its shade for many generations, whilst the
cross-crowned holy well close by had not more visitors at a "pattern.''
Near at hand the little church of 13th or 14th century date still handed
down some curious customs. Here, on the stone altar, and in a hollow
beneath, and in the sills of windows and other places, human skulls
were exposed in quite a common-place way.
Aran Isi^ands. — The visit to these islands was certainly the big
day for the antiquarians, affording more to see than could be
seen in one day. Crosses, churches, -and forts were visited in
rapid succession, scarcely affording the photographers time to "do"
them all ; nevertheless little was missed, from the great Cyclopean
fort of Dun Aengus to the primitive little stone church of Teampull
Benan, with its accommodation for about one worshipper.
CIvARE-Gai.\vay.— Many members visited this celebrated Franciscan
Abbey, founded in 1290 by John de Cogan. The tall central tower is its
most distinctive feature, springing from arches to a height far above
the average of such towers. In the choir is a beautifully-carved altar
tomb of a De Burgo. The lofty east window might well be restored, all
the interlacing being forthcoming. On the side of the road facing the
Abbey stands a Clanrickarde castle, lofty and perfect.
272 The Irish Nahwalist.
Annaghdown. — Beautifully situated on the shores of Lough Corrib
stands the graceful Norman castle, large and almost perfect. Here was
an ancient religious settlement, as attested by the many ecclesiastical
ruins scattered around ; one of the most beautiful Hiberno-Romanesque
windows in existence is built into a modern church, whilst the corres-
ponding door is well preserved, with other features of almost equal value.
InchanguoiIvE. — To a few were given the pleasure of visiting this
most remarkable island in Lough Corrib, through the great kindness of
Mr. Henry Hodgson, J. P., who lent his boats, and otherwise hospitably
entertained the visitors. Here are two of the earliest churches with
deeply sculptured doors, Teampul Phaidrig and Teampul-na-Neave, both
carefully conserved by Lord Ardilaun. In the graveyard is a little rude
cross-carved pillar, with perhaps the most ancient Christian inscription
in Ireland, to the memory of Lugnaedon, son of Limenueh, the sister of
S. Patrick,
Inis Mac Dara. — This little island out in the Atlantic off Roundstone
(the latter a place that no one should miss visiting) is very seldom visited,
so it was with great delight a small party chartered a lumbering hooker
to make the voyage to the Church of Saint Sinach Mac Dara, and well
were they repaid by a sight of the 6th or 7tli century stone-roofed
church, the crosses, and stations. This same hooker subsequently took
one of the party to Aran from Roundstone. Indeed, long after the
excursion was over, members were seen straggling about Connemara
and the islands of the sea, quite unable to drag themselves away from
the glories and m^-steries of the west, ever seeking for that Hybrasil
which lay in the lap of the setting sun.
Many notes and details were taken of the antiquities visited that will
serve for future use in publications more suitable for that purpose than
the Irish Naturalist.
^S^
Irish Naturai^tst, VoIv. IV.]
[Pirate 5.
.-/. Stead man, del.
vSTYvSANUvS ri^IARIAi:, ]McWi:i-XKV, si>. Nov
^Ije $vi^\j |latuvalt0t.
Vol. IV. OCTOBER, 1895. No. 10.
A NEW IRISH FUNGUS
BY E. J. MCWKENRY, M.A., M.D.
(PI.ATE 5. )
When investigating the bog at Braganstown, Count}' Louth,
during the excursion of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club
to Castlebellingham on August loth last, I came across a
mould-fungus which proves to be an as yet undescribed
species. In the following pages I will give a short account of
this organism and its affinities.
It was in that portion of the bog which lies east of the
railway line, and which was visited by but few members of
the party, that I observed a patch of Meadow-sweet, the tops
of which presented a peculiar dark brown and shrivelled ap-
pearance. This premature decay of a plant that is wont at
this season to attain its greatest luxuriance, struck me as
peculiar, and led me to examine the patch more nearly. Small
greyish- white stalked objects then became visible, dotted here
and there over the dried-up and wrinkled stems, petioles, and
leaves. The plants did not seem to have flowered. The tiny
objects in question were not more than -^jj inch high, and,
looked at with a strong glass, consisted of a globose head,
silvery-grey in colour, and a short brown stalk, not exceeding
in length the diameter of the head.. The whole appearance
was very similar to that of a little myxomycete or slime-fungus
in its spore-bearing stage ; but the fact that these little stalked
bodies were not associated in clusters, but stood well apart
from each other without any tendency to be gregarious, told
against the possibility of its proving to be a member of that
family. Besides, the habitat — portions of a living plant, that
had undergone localized death and desiccation — was hardly
a likely one for a myxomycete. Further knowledge on the
subject was, however, not to be had without a more minute
A
274 '^^^ Irish Naturalist,
examination than could then and there be made, so I careful!}^
collected a quantity of the material and put it up in glass
tubes for subsequent determination. A few days later, going
over the contents of my collecting box, I came upon these
tubes and mounted some of their contents for the microscope.
Nothing could be easier than the process adopted ; and as I
may have some readers who, possessing microscopes, might
care to take up w^ork of this kind, I will now state how the
mounts w^ere made. A few of the little stalked bodies were
removed from the matrix by the aid of a dissecting needle,
and immersed in a drop of absolute alcohol on a clean slide.
As soon as the alcohol had all but completely disappeared
b}" evaporation, it was replaced by a drop of glycerine,
and a clean cover- glass applied. The object of the alcohol is
to get rid of any air that may be, and usually is, entangled in
the mycelium, and which would greatly interfere with the
transparency of the mount if it were allowed to remain. An
alternative procedure is to mount in glycerine at once, and
after putting on the cover-glass, heat the preparation over a
spirit-lamp till ebullition just commences. This also drives
out the air, but the process is rather a severe one, especially
for a delicate object, and liable to cause alteration in the
natural appearance. The preparations thus made proved
very successful, and on placing the slide under the microscope
with a moderatel}^ low power (x 150), I saw it very much as
it looks in figure 2. The stalk and head can now be distinctly
seen, and also the fact that the former is composed of a number
of parallel hyphae or threads. The head is also composed of
threads which radiate from the stalk, and round about the
edge where these threads become free and end,, they may be seen
to have a peculiar knobbed or headed appearance. We now
turn on the high power ( x 400) and see (figure 3) that the cause
of this beaded appearance is the fact that the terminal portion
of each hypha or thread is divided by thick partitions into a
string of cubical cells, of which the end ones display a tendency
to have their corners rounded off so as to become subglobose\
or, in ordinary language, nearly round. If now, without chang-
ing the power, we move the slide so as to bring the stalk into
the field, we can, by gradually working upwards, make out
* This is not well shown in the drawing.
A New Irish Ftmgus. 275
the whole construction of the fungus. We find, as before stated,
the stalk composed of parallel brown hyphse with numerous
partitions, or ** septa " as they are technically called. I^et me
explain, however, the term ''hyphae" which may possibly prove
a stumbling-block to some of my readers. The name ** hypha "
is given to the " threads " of which most fungi are constructed.
These "threads" are said to constitute or make up the
" mycelium." They are not, however, really threads, but only
seem threadlike when insufficiently magnified. Under a fairly
high power they are little pipes or tubes composed of a trans-
parent outer wall made of cellulose or something very like it
(cellulose is the material in the cell-walls of the higher, green
plants), and jelly-like granular contents, which are living
** protoplasm." The protoplasm contains numerous very
minute bodies of another nature called nuclei. These also are
living — in fact they constitute the centres of the life of the
cell. The tubes or hyphse are divided by cross-partitions or
" septa " into long compartments. Each compartment is a
" cell." Fungi are made up of strings of lengthy cells pressed
or woven together so as to form variously-shaped masses.
I hope I have now made these matters of detail pretty clear,
and will go on with the description of our new fungus. The
hyphse, of which the stalk is made up, are loosely compacted
and interwined, and at their upper ends they open out, so to
speak, into the head, dividing repeatedly into two (** forking")*
so as to make up the solid mass of branches of which the
head is composed. The terminal branches are much paler
in colour than those from which they spring, and are divided
by very thick partitions into strings of cubical cells. Such a
string is seen highly magnified in figure 3, and it is these
curious jointed rows of cubical or barrel-shaped cells which
give the fungus its characteristic appearance. Of what
significance are these cell-rows ? it may fairly be asked. Are
they of any use ? Emphatically so, for the last, that is the
oldest joint, keeps falling off, and then constitutes a spore,
that is, a seed from which the whole fungus may be repro-
duced. Each of these chains is therefore a chain of spores.
Having now ascertained the structure of the fungus, let us
enquire what place it occupies amongst those already known
— let us classify it. An impression appears to prevail, even
amongst botanists, especially those who confine themselves to
A 2
276 The Irish Naturalist.
naked-eye work on the flowering-plants, that the classification
of fungi presents features of unusual difiiculty. This is not
seldom true as regards the determination of the species, owing
in many cases to the insufficient descriptions handed on by
superficial observers. Up to June, 1892, there were no less
than 39,662 sorts of fungi known, and a couple of thousand
more at least have been added since. Let us see now what
position our fungus is to take amongst so enormous a number
of vSpecies. We must first decide what group or family it
belongs to. It is clearly a '* Hyphomycete," which means
that it belongs to a group composed of minute fungi made up
of threads very loosely compacted and bearing *' naked"
spores, that is, not enclosed in spore-bags or asci. Such
fungi are usually known as " moulds" in English, and certain
members of the group make their presence quite obtrusively
familiar by covering damp bread, leather, paper, preserves,
&c., &c., with blue or green, sometimes with pink or golden
patches. Many of these moulds are not "independent" species,
that is, they are really only stages in the development of a
fungus that forms its spores in asci or bags. Moulds are
divided into four groups — Mucedinece, comprising most of the
ordinary moulds well known to, and disliked by, the house-
keeper ; DematiccB, which have dark brown threads ; Stilbece,
in which the lower threads are compacted to form a stalk ; and
Tiibcrculariecc, in which the threads are compressed into a
wart-like tuft. There is no difficulty in deciding to place our
fungus in the third family, Stilbcce, on account of its obvious
stalk. Turning to this family we find it divided into two
groups, according as the hyphse are pale or dark. Now ,as
we have seen that in our specimen the colour is dark brown,
save for the terminal branches, we turn to that group, the
PhcEOstilbea:. As the individual spores in the specimen are
simple and undivided into compartments, we must look in the
section Amerosporcs, and here we have to select between a
number of competing genera — Sporocybe, Graphium, Harpo-
graphiuTJi, Stysanus, and G7nphiotheci2i77i. For reasons, into
•which it would occupy too long to enter, we place the specimen
in Stysanics, but as it does not agree with any of the three
British species given in Mr. Massee's excellent " British
Fungus-Flora" (vol. III., p. 458), we look it up in Saccardo's
great " Sjdloge," and find that of the seventeen species there
A New Irish Ftcngiis, 277
described it comes nearest to a species from Ce34on called
Perico7iia vionilifera by Messrs. Berkeley and Broome, but re-
moved to Stysanus by Saccardo. Their description, as
repeated by Saccardo, is not very complete, but our specimen
differs in the stalk not being rough (scabrous). To sum up,
Mr. Massee, to whom I sent the specimen, and who is the
leading English authority on the subject, has no hesitation in
declaring the species to be new, and it has accordingly de-
volved on me to confer upon it a name. I have accordingly
called it 5*. UlmaricB, indicating thereby its habitat on Meadow-
sweet, SpircBa Uhnaria, and have drawn up the following
technical description : —
Stysanus Ulmarlae, McWeeney, nov. sp.
Stem from -25 to i m.m. high, composed of loosely-com-
pacted, septate, brown hyphae which, passing upwards,
undergo repeated dichotomous division and oj^en out to form
a globose head. Terminal branches paler, divided b}^ rigid,
thick, projecting septa into moniliform chains of cubical
elements which fall off and constitute the spores. Spores
pale-brown, cubical, barrel-shaped or subglobose, 5-6 /i. in
diameter.
On dying Meadow-sweet {Spircea Uhnaria), Braganstown
Bog, Co. Louth, Ireland, August loth, 1895.
EXPI^ANATION OF PI<ATE 5-
1. Natural size of object.
2. The same, magnified about 150 diameters (somewhat diagrammatic).
3. An isolated spore-bearing hypha, magnified 400 diameters.
4. 5, and 6 Small portions of the fructification isolated to show the
different forms assumed, magnified 300 diameters.
2/8 The Irish Naturalist.
THE RAISED BEACHES OF INISHOWEN.
BY R. 1,1,0 YD PRAEGER, B.E.
Two YEARS ago I Spent a short autumn holiday in a solitary
ramble round the wild coast-line of Inishowen, the most
northerly portion of Donegal and of Ireland, which the con-
verging loughs of Foyle and Swilly almost convert into an
island, as its name implies. This is a beautiful district, with
rugged mountains of ancient schists and quartzites, wild moors,
deep bays, and savage sea-cliffs, where the waves of the
Atlantic rave and foam. The season was too far advanced
for botanizing, and I spent the time in studying the post-
glacial geology of the coast, especially with a view of compar-
ing the raised beaches of this wild shore with those of the
more sheltered shores of the Irish Sea, such as the well-known
deposits of Larne and Greenore.
Culmore was the first point visited. Here, where the
River Foyle widens out into the lough of the same name, a
low point projects far out into the stream. On the eastern
side the sea has eaten into this level tract, and the section above
the beach shows lo to 15 feet of horizontally stratified gravels.
The material consists almost entirely of rounded flat pebbles
of mica schist, with a little quartz and quartzite, in a dark
brown sandy matrix, slightly current-bedded near the base,
with occasional layers of sharp quartz sand. No shells were
found. This deposit covers a considerable area — the whole of
Culmore point, and extending one to two miles to the north-
ward. It is apparently the creation of the river rather than of
the sea, as shown by the brown matrix and the absence of
shells.
Crossing by the ferry to the County I^ondonderry side ol
the Foyle, I saw two well-marked sea-terraces rising above
the muddy shore near Culmore railway station, to heights of
about 10 and 25 feet above high water-mark. These terraces
are cut out of a thick and extensive deposit of sands and gravels,
The Raised Beaches of Inishoweii. 279
of which a fine section is seen close by on the bank of the
River Faughan. There, in descending order, we have
feet
Bluish clay, • . . . ,1
Yellowish clay, . . . . .1
Stratified gravel, . . . . .8
Very fine greyish sand . , . .20
Water of river, at high tide level.
This deposit is rather puzzling, but it is probably of glacial
age.
Next morning I drove to Burnfoot, on the upper reaches of
lyough Swilly, and visited the brick-field there, which is
situated on an extensive flat of reclaimed land, slightly below
high water-mark. I had hoped that the material was estuarine
clay, but found it to be a fine hard pinkish clay, without
fossils, but containing layers of pebbles and boulders. Thence
I walked to Blanket Nook. The Geological Survey map
marks a raised beach fringing the alluvial flat for some miles
in this direction, but little was to be seen. According to the
Memoir this deposit has an average elevation of 32 feet. On
the northern shore of Blanket Nook, not far east of the rail-
way, a gravel bank, evidently a raised beach, rises to a height
of 20 feet above the muddy flat. No section was seen, but on
the surface I picked up Ostrea, Peden varius, Mytilus edtdis,
Cardiu7n edule, Tapes aureus, T decussatus, Mactra subtrtmcaia,
Littorina litorea, L. obtusata, Cerithiuvi reticulahi7n. Further
west is a striking deposit — a horizontally stratified bed at least
12 feet thick, consisting almost entirely of marine shells,
mostly unbroken, and in good preservation — apparently a
shelly bank laid down by currents at the entrance of the bay
when the land stood slightly lower than now, and evidently
newer than the before-mentioned raised beach, which runs
along behind it and above it to the entrance of the bay. The
top of the shell-bed is about 6 feet above high water-mark.
The species found here were as follow : —
Anomia ephippiu7n. Tapes aureus.
Ostrea edulis. T. decussaius,
Pecten varius, T. virgineus.
Mytilus edulis. T. pullastra.
M* adriaticus. Vertus galli?ia.
Cardium echifiatum* V. ovata.
C exiguuvi* Tellifta balthica,
C* edule. Mactra subtrtmcata.
28o The Irish Naturalist.
Corbula gibba. Hydrobia uIvce.
Ttochjis cinerareus^ Cerithium reticulatum.
T. mag7is. Purpura lapillus.
Littorina litorea'.^ ' ' Nassa reticulata.
L. obtusata. • • P leurotovia turricula.
Rissoa membyajiacca.
Specimens of T. pullastra and C. exiguuvi occurred with the
valves in juxtaposition.
On the eastern shore of lyOUgh Swilly at Fort Stewart ferry,
a couple of miles further south-west, an interesting raised
beach may be seen. At a ruined cottage a couple of hundred
yards north of the ferrj^ there is a la5^er of shells 4 feet above
high water, with shelly gravels above and below. Northward
the deposit rises up on the top of a bed of blue Boulder-clay
to a height of 12 feet above high tide. Southward it runs
level past the public-house, where it shows out as a great bed
of oyster shells, 10 feet above high water. Further south, the
Boulder-clay rises up again. In this raised beach the follow-
ing shells were seen, the first eleven being abundant —
Ostrea ediilis. Tapes p^dlastra.
Pecteji variiis. 'Telliiia bait hi ca.
Mytilus edulis. Corbula gibba.
Tapes aureus- Patella vulgata.
T. d ecus sat us. Trochus ci7ierareus.
Cardium exiguum. T. lineatus.
C. edule. T. viagus.
Mactra subtnmcata, Mu7'ex eriyiaceics.
Littorina obtusata. Purpura lapilhis.
L. lito7'ea. Buccimcvi undatuvi.
Cerithium reticulatum. Nassa reticulata.
Anomia ephippium.
The Ivimpets were remarkably elevated, the height being in
some cases /^ of the greatest breadth. The occurrence of
TrocJms lineatus here is interesting, as its present range in
Ireland does not extend further north than Bundoran on the
west coast, and Ballywalter on the east coast. The late Canon
Grainger used to tell me a curious story of some sailors who
collected a number of these shells in mistake for Periwinkles
at some place on the west coast, and brought them alive in
their vessel to I,ough Swilly, where, finding them unpalatable.
The Raised Beaches of hiishowen. 281
they threw them overboard in shallow water, where they were
seen crawling about some time afterwards. Whether the species
thus introduced into Lough Swilly still flourishes there is a
nice point for inquiry ; but its occurrence in the Fort Stewart
raised beach shows that it formerly lived in these waters.
Going northward along the shore, Boulder-clay holds the
ground till Inch is reached. Along the shore eastward of the
old castle, which rises picturesquely on a high knoll of quart-
zose grit, are traces of low raised beaches. Westward of the
castle, at Mill Bay, two sea-terraces rise, one behind the other,
in the pasture near the shore, like green waves on the sward,
to heights of about twelve and fifteen feet above high water,
the ground falling away a little behind each. No section is
exposed, but the ground is very shelly. On the north side of
Inch, near the church, where raised beaches are marked on
the Survey map, there are beds of sand and gravel up to eight
feet above high water, but no features of interest are
observable.
Next day I left the hospitable house of my host, Prof
Leebody, in the small hours of the morning, and took the
6.20 train to the favourite watering-place of Buncrana, prettily
situated on the shores of Lough Swilly. A brisk walk over
the sand-hills that stretch southward revealed nothing of
interest, and after breakfast I tramped nine miles northward
to Mamore Gap, a picturesque pass formed by an old line of
fault across a rugged mountain-ridge of quartzite that stretches
on both sides of the entrance of Lough Swilly. The view as
one passes through the Gap is very beautiful — the sands of
Lenan Bay to the right ; below, a sandy and boggy flat
dotted with cottages, and beyond that the huge mass of
Dunaff" Head ; further to the eastward, the rugged outline
of North Inishowen, and Malin- Head ; and beyond all,
the illimitable ocean. A steep descent led to Lenan Bay,
where the westerly winds have swept the shifting sands up
the adjoining hill-side to a height of 150 feet. Down on
the beach, the sand has become cemented by some natural
process, and masses of it stand out in weathered torrs six to
ten feet high, looking like reefs of schist. Passing over the
low ground (marked raised beach on Geological Survey map)
lying behind Lenan Head and Dunaff Head, I found at
Rockstown Harbour a good example of what is no doubt the
A 3
282 The Irish Naturalist.
50 ft. raised beach of the Geological Survey — a well-marked
ridge of gravel rising abruptly to a height of 30 to 40 feet from
the flat or gently-sloping plain that runs inland from the
existing beach.
A little further eastward, behind Tullagh Bay, this terrace
is still better developed, and forms a very striking object.
There, as elsewhere on this wild coast, the present beach con-
sists of high terraces of pebbles and rounded stones, piled up
by winter gales in a steep slope to some twenty feet above
ordinary high water. Behind the beach at Tullagh Bay, the
ground drops slightly and then runs level in boggy or gravelly
fields to this grand old terrace, which rises at a slope of about
I to I to a height of thirty to forty feet. On the top of this
old beach the ground again dips slightly, like the present
beach, and continues almost level to where the hills rise, a
quarter of a mile from the sea. As seen in a small pit, this
terrace is composed of coarse stratified gravel, full of much
rounded stones, just like the existing beach. No shells were
to be found, but then shells are almost absent also on the
present beach, where they get smashed to pieces ; and the
coarse and open nature of the material is unsuitable for the
preservation of organic remains.
I tramped across the broad sands of Tullagh Bay, where
the ocean waves boomed as they broke with rhythmical
monotony. The Clonmany River was in flood, but I forded it
waist deep, and climbed the rocky slope of Binnion, where
another magnificent view was obtained — a vast expanse of
ocean, faced by the great cliff's of Dunaff" and the white sands
of Tullagh, behind which rose the wild mountains of quartzite
and mica schist that culminate in Slieve Snaght (2019 feet).
A scramble down a precipitous gully, and a stiff climb round
the most rugged of sea-cliffs hung with Rose-root brought me
to PoUan Bay, where the sands stretched far into the grey sea-
mist. Evening was closing in apace, so I took to the road,
and six miles more brought me to Carndouagh, and to its
comfortable inn.
Next morning a wild storm was raging, and sea and sky
and land were all shrouded in rain and spray. But as the
sun rose the clouds broke, and I took the morning mail car
for Malin Head. The day before, an American mail steamer
had arrived at Queenstown, and as we drove along it was
The Raised Beaches of Inishowen. 283
pathetic to see the anxious faces of parents and brothers and
sisters gathered at each road-end and boreen, hoping for a
letter from the loved ones who were seeking their fortune in
that far-off land of promise. At Bree I left the road, and
struck down to the northern shore. In the bay south of the
coast-guard station are raised beaches six and twelve feet
above storm-water level (which is about twelve feet above
ordinary high tide) ; and behind these, marine gravels cap
the rocks thirty to forty feet above the same level. As usual,
no shells were to be found in any of these deposits. Among
the stones of the present beach the beautiful Oyster-plant or
Sea Gromwell spread its blue-grey leaves, its red and blue
blossoms still abundant, in spite of the lateness of the season.
North of the coast-guard station is a flat stretch of peaty
land, forty to fifty feet above high tide. A small stream
cutting through it shows in its banks a couple of feet of peaty
soil overlying twelve feet at least of horizontally-bedded
marine gravels. These Inishowen raised beaches are all the
same, consisting of coarse much rolled gravel and large
pebbles of the various metamorphic and igneous rocks of the
district, with a matrix of coarse sharp quartz sand, and no
fossils — just like the present beaches.
On the low-lying ground south-east of the ridge which forms
the extremity of the land, and on which the signal-tower stands,
there are two well-marked terraces, one behind the other,
composed of coarse gravel, and having elevations of I should
guess thirty-five to forty, and sixty to seventy feet above high
tide ; I had no means of determining the heights with
accuracy. The Geological Survey Memoir says that here the
25-ft., 50-ft., and 75-ft. raised beaches are well marked ; these
elevations are reckoned from Ordnance datum, eight feet below
mean sea-level. I had a chat with lyloyds' agent, while the
wind shrieked round the signal-tower, and flecks of foam
dashed against the window, fully 200 feet above the sea, and
then fought my way against the storm down to the rugged
quartzite cliffs, the most northerly point of Ireland, and
crept down as far as I dared go— about fifty feet above
the waves — to watch the fearful sea that was running.
At the westerly end of the Head, the cliffs were brightened
by patches of Samphire and Rose-root and Scotch I^ovage.
The coast trended southward now. At White Strand
284 The Irish Naturalist.
Bay the Keenagli River was forded, south of which there is a
glorious pebble beach, dipping away down 20 feet to where
the waves were rushing up and down, rattling the pebbles
with a noise that could be heard a mile away. Behind the
beach rises an old sea-escarpment (perhaps made by a heavy
gale not long ago), cut out of an older beach, the top of which
is 20 feet above the present one. Behind the old beach the
ground rises in steep rocky ridges for several hundred feet.
At the southern end of the bay, high cliffs close in on the
strand, and soon I came to Stookanafanoga, a hugh sea-
stack of dark basalt rising in front of the grey quartzites.
There an ascent was necessary, and the route lay along high
headlands, whence the sun was watched setting in the western
ocean. In the dusk I crossed the sands which fringe the nar-
row and dangerous entrance to Trawbreaga Bay, and tramped
in the moonlight through Malin Town, and over the sleeping
country to Carndonagh.
On the following morning I went eastward, and examined
for the raised beach underlying peat bog, which, according
to the Geological Survey, occupies the valley of the Culdaff
River, but very little was to be seen — possibly a pit would be
required to show the raised beach. Passing over a band of
black primitive limestone, Culdaff was left behind, and I
took road to Tremorne Bay, where I did not see the raised
beach marked on the Geological Survey map, though I looked
for it. Then on through the primitive hamlet 'of Ballyma-
garagh, and down the lyong Glen to meet the sea again at
Kinnagoe Bay, which is a most picturesque spot, with a wide
sandy beach, and high rocks, and steep slopes above. Here
I noticed a patch of stratified gravel at about 50 feet over
high water, in the bank of the road which leads down to the
shore, at the west end of the bay. It was full of fragments
of shells, too minutefor identification, and I got also one large
fragment of Pcdtmculiis, but I observed that behind the ad-
joining beach, on which Pcctunadus abounds, valves of this
shell and sand have been blown by gales up the slope to
quite as great an elevation, so possibly the Pectu7icuhis frag-
ment was not 171 situ. In the adjoining bay of Glennagiveny
is a well-marked raised beach at about 10 feet above high
water. In the banks of the little glen which runs into the bay
are stratified gravels at about 100 feet, containing a few
The Raised Beaches of Inishowett 2S5
decomposed shell-fragments ; further up this glen are sands
and gravels at 100 to 150 feet above the sea, with contorted
bedding, and without shells. These deposits are probably of
glacial age, and the shelly gravel in Kinnagoe Bay may belong
to the same horizon. Some miles of wild heathery moors and
slopes were next crossed, with the sea far below on the left,
and Inishowen Head was reached. This also is a very
picturesque spot ; a grand cliff overhangs the bay to the north
of the signal-station, and there is a very extensive view of
L<ough Foyle, the I^ondonderry and Antrim coasts, and the
Scottish Islands. From the lighthouse to Greencastle there
is a rather sandy flat at about 25 feet above high water, with
bare projecting rocks here and there ; it extends in a broad
belt along the shore, the ground rising abruptly behind it,
and it is evidentl}^ an old foreshore. According to the Geo-
logical Survey there is a raised beach with many shells here,
I could find no sections, and the surface-fauna, w^hich is some-
what abundant, is not to be relied on, owing to sea-weed
being used as manure ; but Mytilus edtdis, Tapes mrgineus^ T
aureus, Vemis cxoleta, Cardium edule, Patella, Buccinum, and
Purpzu^a appeared to be i7t situ.
It was late when I passed the ruin from which Greencastle
derives its name, but I stopped to examine the grand old pile,
which must have been a place of immense strength in its day ;
and then pushed on in the twilight to Moville. Next morning
the early steamer took me up I^ough Foyle, past Culmore, the
scene of my first ramble, and up the river to the " Maiden
City."
I find that I have written the following memorandum at the
end of the notes which I took in the field: — the Inishowen raised
beaches differ from those of the east coast in their greater
average height above the sea, their.coarse and unfossiliferous
nature, and their occurrence as sea-terraces rather than as
bottom-accumulations ; the greater rise of tide, and the greater
exposure (and consequent much greater height of waves) will
probably account for these differences.
286 The Irish Naturalist,
MY BIRDS.
BY RKV. THOMAS B. GIBSON, M.A.
Perhaps no one ever commenced aviary-keeping for such a
reason as I did, sometime in the spring of 1889. Of course as
a boy, I had the usual amount of successes, and perhaps more
than the usual amount of failures with bird-pets ; but aviary-
keeping was not my particular boyish hobby. No doubt I had
reared, and educated in mischief, many jack-daws and magpies
till complaisance could go no farther ; and, one after another,
pets of this kind were either banished or came to an untimely
end. A Pigeon, whose greatest delight was in pecking at the
toes of my younger brothers and sisters whenever an oppor-
tunity oflfered itself, was on this account exiled, to my great
distress. But of all my favourites, a pair of Sparrow-hawks,
which I had reared from the downy state, after an exciting
contest with the parent birds, which ended in my being pre-
cipitated, together with nest and young ones, from a fir-tree,
were the most valued. These I had kept for fully two years^
and one of the pair was so tame that it would come out with
me and hawk for sparrows, returning to me even after a suc-
cessful flight. This tame one was killed by a young colt
which was being weaned in the stable where I kept the birds.
The other made its escape from my mother's hands whilst
she was showing it to a visitor ; and, though for a whole year
it continually returned to the neighbourhood, it would never
allow itself to be recaptured. A Song-thrush, too, for some
time proved a most interesting pet, and would usually come
at my call ; but one day, whilst I was digging for worms to
go a-bobbing for eels, I accidentally struck it with the spade,
and so ended its existence. Starlings were also very easily
brought up by hand, but they usually took " French leave "
before the year was out, or at any rate during the following
spring. Indeed why so many birds remained with me for as
long as they did, in those days, is now a wonder to me, since,
as a boy, I never used cages to confine the nestlings, nor was
I either, as far as I can remember, a very attentive caretaker.
These boyish attempts at bird-keeping, however, exercised no
great influence upon me, and when I did start an aviary it
came about unintentionall}'-, in this way. One of my pupils
My Birtk. 287
at King's Hospital — a most incorrigible little scamp, but good-
natured in his way — had, after he left the school, gone
away to sea, and, somewhere or other, had picked up a Rosy-
breasted Cockatoo. This he sent to me as a present, whether
with the intention of driving me out of my wits by its con-
tinuous screaming, or by its mischievous presence to remind
me of some traits in the character of the donor, I know not.
At any rate it was not long before its noise and the necessity
of daily renewing its perches drove me upon the plan of con-
structing an aviary round a tree in the garden for its future
residence. Everyone told me, of course, that the bird would
not live outside during the winter, and it is probable that I
should have taken it inside when the hard w^eather came ; but
in October I was seized with a severe attack of typhoid, the
school was broken up, and all its inhabitants cleared out until
the February following, and in consequence of this the
Cockatoo had to take his chance though the winter was a
severe one. Being well looked after by one of the men about
the place, he not only survived but improved in appearance,
despite the hard weather, or probably because of it. Since
that time neither he nor any one of my birds has been taken
inside, no matter what the weather, though the aviary is totally
unheated, and yet they are infinitely superior in health and
feather to birds of the same kind carefully attended to in
heated aviaries. When I returned, in February, I found that
the large tree, around the trunk of which I had constructed
the aviary, had narrowly escaped destruction from the perse-
vering efforts of the Cockatoo to strip it of its bark. For-
tunately one strip of bark had escaped, there being no perch
near it, and by at once removing the perches from the tree and
encasing it in thin sheet-iron, I succeeded in saving its life.
The aviary was easily made, thus^: I planted eight posts
around the tree and nailed short pieces in a sloping position
from these posts to the tree. This cap I roofed in with wood,
and then covered the wood with tarred felt. Next I nailed
wire netting, narrow in mesh, all round the posts down to the
ground, except between two of the posts where I left an open-
ing about three feet high, in which I afterwards placed a door
made also of netting attached to the frame. Then, as
additional security, as well as for shelter, I boarded over the
netting at the base and top for about nine inches. No other
288 The Irish NaUiralist,
protection has ever been given to my birds, and, as there are
very many kinds now in the aviary, I can exercise no par-
ticular control over their food, each being at liberty to indulge
his fancy from what is provided. I may here say, there is
always sufficient food placed fresh in the aviary, together with
clear water, at least once a day. Hemp, canary-seed, millett,
rape, wheat and maize are the only seeds I use ; and nothing
else is given except a basinful of bread soaked in milk, fresh
every morning, with, of course, occasional treats of groundsel,
chickweed, plantain, and water cress. I have never taken the
trouble to soak the bread in water or to squeeze out the alum,
as is so often insisted upon ; yet my birds are usually very
healthy and exhibit excellent plumage. I notice, however,
that bread soaked in milk is greatly preferred by all kinds of
birds — for all kinds eat it when fresh — to bread soaked in
water. I notice also that fresh water is a greater desideratum
than fresh food ; and birds continually alight upon the spout
of the can to drink while I am pouring the water into their
baths or drinking troughs. With regard to bathing some
birds are inordinately fond of it, and all enjoy it whilst the
water is clean. Starlings would bathe, I believe, twenty times
a day if you gave them fresh baths so often ; and the same
might be said of Bramble-finches and Missel-thrushes, though
Song-thrushes and Field-fares are not so persistent. Bull-
finches and Chaffinches, too, are fond of bathing, as are akso
most of the Bunting family, except the Common or Corn
Bunting, but I have never seen either Sparrows or Quails
bathe, though both kinds delight in the sand-heap as a
substitute.
Of course originally I had only intended the aviary to be
the home of the Cockatoo ; but, principally because it was so
large, I began to introduce other kinds as well. Two Quails,
both cocks, for I have never been able to obtain a hen, were
purchased, and, though one killed itself against the wire the
first night, one still survives looking healthier and happier than
when I obtained it some six years ago. This bird, by the way,
has more than once slipped out of the aviary, whilst the door
was open ; but it never seems to care about going away, and
waits quietly outside till I finish what I am about within.
It often gives the well-known Quail call ; but has another
kind of call, similar to the crowing of a cock, that I have
My Birds. 289
never heard described by any observer. This is the only one
of the Gallinaceous tribe that I have hitherto possessed ; and I
must say that it has proved a very interesting, and by no
means troublesome pet.
(to bk concluded).
CAPTURES OF COI.KOPTKRA IN IREI.AND DURING
THE SPRING OF 1895.
BY JAMES J. WALKER, R.N., F.E-S.
( Concluded from page 212).
Between May i8th and 21st, I took at Buncrana, Co. Derry :—
Cai*abus catenulatus, vScop.— Not uncommon on moorland.
Notlophllus blg^uttatus, F.
N. palustrls, Dnft.
Nebria brcvicollls, F— A small form
Elaphrus riparius, ly.— One specimen.
Loricera pilicornis, F.
Clivina fossor, L.
Dyschirius impunctipennis, Daws. — Locally' abundant in a
sandy saline spot, on the shore of Lough Swilly, in company with Blcdlus
annariiis.
Broscus cephalotcs, L. — Common.
Bradycellus collaris, Payk. — One on Roosky Mountain, about
1,000 feet elevation.
Harpalus latus, L. — Not scarce.
Pterostlchus vitreus, Dej. — Two specimens, under stones on a
peat-bog, elevation about 500 feet.
P. nigrlta, F. — Common.
Abax striola, F. — Not rare.
Amara spin! pes, Auct. — Two on the beach.
A. trlvialls, Gyll. — Not uncommon.
DIchlrotrlchus pubescens, Payk. — Common, in salt marshes.
Calathus cisteloides, Panz.
C» mollis, Marsh. — Very common on the golf-links.
C. melanoccphalus, L. — Common ; one or two from the top of
Roosky Mountain may be referred to the var. nubigena, Hal.
C. micropterus, Duft. — One specimen, on the sandhills.
Anchomenus parumpunctatus, F.— A beautiful blue-black
variety, occurred rarely on a peat bog.
290 The Irish Naturalist,
Ollsthopus rotundatus, Payk.-On Roosky Mountain.
Clllenus lateralis, Sam.— Running on wet sand between tide-
marks ; about six specimens.
Bembldium pallldlpenne, 111.— One on the sandhills.
B. littorale, 01.— Common.
Trechus rubens, F. — One specimen on the peat-bog, under a stone
T. obtusus, Er.— With preceding, scarce and immature.
Patrobus asslmills, Chaud.— One on Roosky Mountain.
Ag^abus paludosus, F.— In small stream on golf-links.
Rhantus bistrlatus, Berg.— One specimen on the beach.
Aleochara brevipennls, Gr.— One example \
A. moesta, Gr. (
A. nitlda, Gr. ( All on the sandhills.
A. obscurella, Br. ;
Tachyporus obtusus, var. nltldlcollls, Steph.— A few, by
sweeping.
Creophllus maxlllosus, L. — Commonin carcases and decayingsea-
weed on the beach, with a few of the var. cillaris, Steph.
Staphyllnus pubescens, DeG. — Two on the golf-links, walking on
sand.
Phllonthus lamlnatus, Creutz.
P. aeneus, Rossi.
P. decorus, Grav. — One specimen, under a stone.
P. sanguinolentus, Grav.
P. marginatus, F.
Bledius spectabills, Kr. ; Not uncommon, in rather dry sandy mud,
on the beach near the railway station.
B. arenarius, Payk. — In wet sand at the far end of the golf-links,
very common, the specimens mostly rather dark in colour.
Lesteva longelytrata, Goeze. — On banks of small stream on golf-
links.
Omalium Ideviusculum, Gyll.
Cercyon littoral is, Gyll.
C. hsemorrhous, Gyll.
Anisotoma dubia, Br.— One specimen, on the sandhills.
Silpha at rata, Iv.— Scarce, and rather small.
8. rugosa, L. — In carrion,
S. opaca, L- — One dead specimen.
Hister cadaverlnus, Hofif. | ^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ carrion.
H. neglectus. Germ. )
Saprinus sencus, F.— In dead fish, not rare.
Ptenidium punctatum, Gyll.— Under stones at high water-mark,
common.
Cocclnella xi-punctata, L.— Common.
Byrrhus dorsal is, F.— One in a "bunker " on the golf-links.
Hcterocerus marginatus, F.— Occurred plentifully with ^/^^/wj
spectabilis ; varying to a handsome unicolorous dark fuscous form, with
the usual yellowish markings on elytra quite obsolete.
Aphodlus mcrdarlus, F.
A. dcprcssus, Kug.
^glalla arcnarla,F.— Rather scarce, on the sand-hills.
Captures of Coleoptera in Irela^id during the Spri7tg of i^g^. 291
Lacon murlnus, L.— One example.
Cryptohypnus rlparlus, F — A few on Roosky Mountain, &c.
Athous haemorrholdalls, F.— Common, some examples very
large.
Corymbltes cupreus, F.— A pair.
C. quercus, Gyll. — Rather scarce, by sweeping, with the var.
OcJu'opterus^ Steph
Cyphon coarctatuSf Payk.
Telephorus bicolor, F.— By beating willows.
Rhag^onycha fusclcornls, 01. — One specimen, with preceding.
R. limbata, Thorns.
Phyllodectavulgratlsslma, L.— Common, on young willows.
Phyllotreta nemorunn, Iv.
Crepidodera aurata. Marsh — Rather plentiful, on young willows.
Apion Cyllenhall, Kirby — Rare, b}' sweeping.
OtSorrhynchus atroaptcrus, De G. — Most abundant, on sand-
hills.
O. blandus, Gyll.— One specimen only, on sandhills.
O. rug"ifrous, Gyll. — Under stones on the beach, and inland on
turf walls, a few examples.
O. piclpes, F.
Aloptius triguttatus, F — One specimen, on the beach.
Sciaphilus murlcatus, F.
Phyllobius oblong^us, ly. — Very common, by sweeping.
P. viridlaeris, Laich.
Barynotus obscurus, F. > q ^ ^ ^ ^
B. SchonhcrrI, Zett. > '
Philopedon g^emlnatus, F. — Abundant on bare sand on the golf-
links and beach; some of the females very large, and almost white in
colour.
Sltones i^r iseusy F. — Sparingly on sand-hills, and very large.
S. lineellus, Gyll. — One example on the sand-hills ; last November
I found this species abundantly at Campbeltown, Cantire, in a similar
situation, hybernating at roots of bent-grass.
S. flavcsccns, Marsh.
Hypera rumicis, Iv.
H. polygoni, Iv.
Orchestcs sallcetl, Payk.— A few, on young willows.
Dorytomus liirtlpcnnis, Bedel. — One example. ( By beating
D. pcctoralis, Gyll.— Four examples. ) young willows.
Ceuthorrhynchus picurostlgma. Marsh.
C. quadridens, Panz.
Phytobius iv.-tuberculatus, F. — One or two, by sweeping.
Rhinoncus perlcarpius, L.
Balanlnus sallclvorus, Payk.— On young willows.
292 The Irish Naturalist.
PROCEEDINGS OF IRISH SOCIETIES.
RoYAiv Zooi^oGicAi, Society.
Recent donations comprise a Collared Peccary and a land tortoise from
J. Giblan, Esq., a hawk from D. Smyth, Esq., a seal from L. Powell,
Esq., three Green Lizards from Sir F. Shaw, a Muscovy Duck from Miss
Macbeth, a Mocking-bird from Captain Rogers, sea-anemones from Dr.
C. B. Ball, a pair of Stock-doves from Rev. T. B. Gibson, a Leadbeater
Cockatoo from Mrs. McDonnell, a pair of Angora Rabbits from Master
Brooke, Crayfish and Sticklebacks from P. Mahony, Esq., a monkey from
J. Ingoldsby, Esq., a Puffin from W. L. Scott, Esq., a Sparrow-hawk from
R. ly. Weldon, Esq., aServal from Surgeon-Lieut. D. J. MacCarthy, three
Canadian Ducks from C. J. Wallace, Esq., and a parrot from C. A. James,
Esq. Three Puma cubs and a Llama have been born in the Gardens,
and a Tricoloured Porcupine, a pair of Cheetahs, a Chimpanzee, seven
monkeys, two squirrels, two fruit-bats, five Choughs, three Axolots,
twelve Rock Bass, and four Siluri have been purchased.
Over ii,oQO persons visited the Gardens in July, and over 15,000 in
August.
Dubinin Microscopicai. Ci^ub.
JUI.Y iSth.— The Club met at Prof. T. Johnson's, who exhibited
specimens of Selaginella selaginoides, showing the large female spores
(megaspores) and the small male spores (microspores). The specimens
were gathered in Connemara during the recent Field Club Union excur-
sion. The species is not uncommon in the west though rare in the east
of Ireland. It is the only representative in Britain of the several
hundred species of the genus Selaginella, the highest of the vascular
cryptogams.
Mr. "M'Ardt^e: exhibited the rare Pihdaria glohidifcra., the Irish repre-
sentative of the order Rhizocarpse, which he recently gathered in the lake
at Recess, Co. Galway, which is one of the few known localities- It was
detected by Mr. Lloyd Praegar, a short time previously, who kindly
gave all the information necessary for its rediscovery. Ballynahinch
(near the Salmon Leap), a few miles further west, is an old habitat for the
plant ( Wade, Rar. ) The specimens bore copious sporocarps which contain
the macrospores and microspores in four cavities in the interior ; the
contents of one was exhibited under the microscope. On account of its
grassy or sedgy appearance, the plant may be readily passed over for a
species belonging to either. In the absence of the fruit, it may be
easily known by the vernation of the young leaves, which is circinatc
like Marsilea, or the young frond of a fern.
Mr. G. H. Carpenter showed Tanystyhun {Clotenia) conirosire, Dohrn, a
pycnogon collected in rock pools, at Bundoran, in September, 1894, by
Mr. J.'E. Duerden. Not only the species (which was first found in the
Gulf of Naples), but the genus is new to the British marine fauna. The
occurrence of this southern form so far to the north along our western
coast is of very considerable interest. A paper with figures will be
published in the next number of the Irish Naturalist.
Mr. H. J. Seymour showed the section of an Epidote rock from
Portrane. The rock, which is of a bright yellowish-green colour, occurs
in patches in the vesicular ash near the southern Martello tower.
Epidote, some quartz, and numerous calcite crystals are present in the
rock.
INlR. R. J. M1TCHEI.1. exhibited preparations of an utricle of the
Bladderwort {Utriailaria intermedia). The specimen had been collected
near Recess, Co. Galway, on the recent excursion of the Field Club
Union to that district. The bladder enclosed some small water animals,
showing that the plant captures and digests these creatures; which
gain an entrance as to an eel trap, but find it impossible to get out.
Proceedings of Irish Societies. 293
Bei^fast Naturalists' Fiei.d Ci.ub.
JuivY 6th. — The fourth summer excursion was held, when a party of
over fifty assembled at the Northern Counties Railway bound for Island-
magee and the Gobbins. Arriving at Ballycarry, the whole party walked
across the peninsula, and then the various sections took their several
ways, each intent on their particular pursuit. Several members took the
steep path to the " Black Cave" in the basalt, which proved, however,
less interesting than was expected, save for its historic association. The
cave extends i^iland a distance of over 100 feet, and is washed by the
tide. The remains of a wall extend across its mouth, so its uses have
been, doubtless, various— legitimate and illegitimate — the latter in the
" good old days " when it was quite respectable to rob the King of his
dues. The most of the party walked along the shore, where the great
blocks of Chalk and Greensand lying to a large extent on I/ias offer a
most tempting prospect. This series of sections and blocks extends for
about half a mile along the coast, until the basalt once more comes down
to the sea-level at the cliffs of the Gobbins. The basalt of this neigh-
bourhood is itself of more than usual interest, as it exhibits a curious
banded structure on a large scale, seen very well along the escarpment
facing the sea, and in one little quarry which was passed on the way the
amygdaloidal vesicles were very beautifully arranged in well-marked
bands, between which was the ordinary half-rotten basalt, without
amygdales. The Greensand was, however, the chief point of interest,
and numerous fossils were obtained, though many more had to be left
behind owing to the hardness of some of the blocks. Among the ])est
finds was one of the secretary of the geological section. Miss S. M.
Thompson, which was a perfect specimen of a fossil sponge ( Ventriculiies)
of unusually large size. Several other sponges of different genera and
species were secured, these being a class that are in want of working out,
as very little is known of the Irish ones. Other finds were numerous,
Cidaris spines, some small corals and br3-ozoa, and plenty of the ordinary
Greensand fossils, such as Rhynchonella, Spondylus, &c. The Lias was in
very bad order for working after the heavy rain, followed by the baking
sun, and few fossils were taken. Botanists did not get anything worth
speaking of, except the Adder's tongue {Ophioglossum), of which quite a
large patch was seen. Tea at 6.30 on the cliffs at Hill's Port was the
finale to a most delightful day's outing. Many thanks were due to Mr.
Wise, C.E., for his kindness and courtesy to his fellow-members in
making arrangements for this visit, and it was the only regret expressed
that he has not as yet succeeded in his laudable efforts in making the
path around the Gobbins. After tea, a pleasant walk through the
fragrant bean-fields of Islandmagee brought the party to Ballycarry and
home by train.
July 29TH. — The sixth excursion was held to the Mourne Mountains
in conjunction with the London Geologists' Association, who were
visiting the North of Ireland. A party of about eighty arrived at New-
castle at 9.30, where breakfast was partaken of at Laurence's rooms at
the station. Breakfast finished, the brakes and cars were mounted, and
the road taken to the Trassey Bridge. Here the vehicles were left, and
the party proceeded up the valley to the Hare's Gap, close to which are
the Diamond Rocks. These are great masses of Mourne granite
containing very numerous drusy cavities, some of them of considerable
.size. So often have they been visited by geologists that parts of the
hillside bear quite a resemblance to a quarry. These cavities contain
large and well-formed crystals of smoky quartz, orthoclase, biotite,
albite, and less frequently of beryl, topaz, and microcline. Of all these
many capital specimens were taken by the members, the. topaz and beryl
crystals being very good, and some of exceptional size were ol^tained.
294 ^^^ Irish Naturalist,
From this point the party broke up into four divisions, one contingent
walking back to the cars, another going round the flank of Coramedagh
to " The Castles," which consist of the usual granite whose sub-columnar
structure in this part gives rise to vertical and horizontal jointing pro-
duced by shrinkage during the cooling of the mass. This jointing has
been so increased and brought out by the action of wind and rain, snow,
frost, and sun, that the masses now present the appearance of huge
bastions and fortifications of Cyclopean masonry. A third section of the
party walked up over Slieve Commedagh (2,512 feet), and a venturesome
few even ascended Donard atterwards, and observed the remains of the
rude stone cell where dwelt the anchorite St. Donard, after whom the
mountain is called. These members brought down the report that the
view was one almost unequalled, the horizon being so clear that no fewer
than nine counties and the Isle of Man were plainly visible, the hills of
Derry and Bray Head being both easily seen. This was the more
extraordinary as the sky appeared cloudy. The last portion of the
members remained at the Diamond Rocks, adding to their collections.
The other three divisions met below the Windy Ridge, in the Glen Valley,
noticing on the way the curious bared summit of the ridge, almost all
the vegetation being blown away, leaving small patches of bog and large
rounded stones and granite sand. The waterworn face of the cliff over
which the river trickles is also well marked. The mountaineering
members were interested in the sharp junction between the granite and
the Ordovician strata at the Shanslieve spur, where the granite sends
out veins into the slates. Basalt and eurite were also seen in contact
here. The junction between granite and slate is also well seen above
Trassey Bridge and in the Glen Valley. The botanists, though not
strictly on business, noticed most of the alpine plants known to occur
on these hills, and although several interesting ferns, «&c., were obtained;
no new find to the locality was recorded. Tea at the station was finished
just in time for the 6 40 train to Belfast. Altogether the Mournes have
seldom been seen to better advantage, and the English geologists
expressed themselves more than pleased with the day and the pleasure
they derived from a visit to the Mournes in conjunction with the
members of the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club.
DUBUN NaTURAI^ISTS' FlElvD ClyUB.
August loth. — A party of fifteen members left Amiens-street station
by the 9 a.m. train for Castlebellingham, where they were met by J. R,
Garstin, Esq., on whose land the collecting-ground for the day was
situated. Under his kind guidance the naturalists made their way
along the railroad to Braganstowu Bog, which proved an excellent field
for research. The morning sped rapidly, and Mr. Garstin most hospit-
ably entertained the Club at luncheon at Braganstown House, after
which an inspection of the neighbouring woods was commenced. This
was unfortunately cut short by heavy rain, and the naturalists were
glad to again seek shelter in the house, where the kind attentions of
Mr. and Mrs. Garstin and their family made the time pass most plea-
santly. After tea the President briefly expressed the thanks of the
members to their host, and the party returned to Dublin by the evening
train.
The bog proved the home of several interesting plants. Mr. Colgan
noted there two species of Utrictdaria {vulgaris and minor), Sparganium
viinimiwt, Typha latifolia^ Lycopus europceus^ Hydrocharis J\d or sus- ranee, Osmunda
regalis — to find the Royal Fern in profusion so near the east coast was a
new experience. Along the railway the immigrant Diplotaxis was observed,
and by the roadsides Chdidoniwn ?najus and Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus,
Proceedings of Irish Societies. 295
Dr. McWeeney searched diligently for fungi, and supplies the follow-
ing list : —
The Hymenomycetes were represented by Agaricus {Lepiotd) cristattis,
Fr. ; A. {Tricholoma) terreuSy Sch. ; A. {Collybia) maiulatiis, A. & S. ; A. (C.)
radicatus, Relh. ; A. {Mycena) tenerrhnus^ Berk.; A. (A/.) rugosiis, Fr. ; A.
(Entoloma) costatus, Fr. ; A. {Crepidotiis) chiinnophilus, B. & Br. ; A.
{Pluteiis) cervinuSy SchaefF; A. {Moeybe) rimosus, Bull. ; A. {Psalliota) catn-
pestris, L. (a very typical series of specimens of this the common edible
mushroom was collected, well illustrating the development of the veil
and ring) ; var. pratensis, Viltad. ; A. {Hypholomd) fasciatlaris, Huds. ; A.
{Psilocybe) areolatus, Klotzsch. ; A. {Ps.) bullatus, Bull. ; A. {Pandolus) phalcen-
arum, Fr. ; Coprinus cornaius, Fr. ; C. ep hevierus^ Fr. ; Bolbitiics tener, B. ;
Lactarius subdtilcis, Fr. ; Hygrophorus conicus, Fr. ; H. psiiiacinus, SchaefF;
Marasmius rotula, Fr. ; Boletus chrysenteron, Fr. ; B. litridus, SchaefF (small
form) ; Polyporus squamostis., Fr. ; Poria vaporaria, Fr. , var. secernibilis,
B. & Br. The Gastromycetes comprised Lycoperdon Bovista^ Linn. {=g 
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